Enhancement of imatinib-induced apoptosis by matrine in bcr/abl-positive leukemia K562 cells

Abstract Matrine is an alkaloid isolated from the medicinal plant Sophora flavescens Ait (Leguminosae) with various pharmacological and physiological effects. Here, we investigate its combined effects with imatinib, a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor used clinically against leukemia cells, on bcr/abl-positive leukemia K562 cells. The results indicate that matrine enhanced imatinib-induced apoptosis in K562 cells through downregulation of protein levels of bcr/abl and phospho-Erk1/2.