Sesamol Induces Apoptosis in Human Lymphoid Leukemia Molt 4B Cells

The exposure of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells to sesamol, a component of sesame oil led to both growth inhibition and the induction of apoptosis. Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the cells treated with sesamol. The fragmentation of DNA by sesamol to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments that are characteristics of apoptosis was observed to be concentration- and time-dependent. On the other hand, in the sesamol-treated normal human lymphocytes morphological change and DNA fragmentation were not observed at all. These findings suggest that growth inhibition of Molt 4B cells by sesamol results from the induction of apoptosis in the cells.