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. 2016 Dec 31;25(6):1693–1700. doi: 10.1007/s10068-016-0260-y

Emodin induces apoptosis of concanavalin A-stimulated murine splenocytes

Subin An 1, So Jin Bing 1, Jinhee Cho 1, Kalahe Hewage Iresha Nadeeka Madushani Herath 1,2, Areum Kim 1,2, Hyeun Wook Chang 3, Youngheun Jee 1,2,4,✉
PMCID: PMC6049233  PMID: 30263464

Abstract

Emodin, one of the major compounds in the herb Reynoutria elliptica, is known to maintain immunosuppressive, anti-allergic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we assessed the possibility of using emodin to induce apoptosis in stimulated immune cells in vitro. After treatment with emodin and concanavalin A (Con A), we observed DNA damage-induced apoptosis in splenocytes. Moreover, treatment with emodin and Con A increased the number of apoptotic splenocytes compared with untreated controls. Emodin also diminished the size of CD45R/B220+ cells, CD19+CD69+ cells, and cDC populations. These results indicate that emodin-induced apoptosis was involved in attenuating the immune activity promoted by DNA damage and in decreasing the number of CD45R/B220+ B cells and CD19+CD69+ activating B cells. This demonstration of emodin inducing apoptosis of Con A-stimulated immune cells indicates its potential utility as a therapy for diseases caused by abnormally activated immune cells.

Keywords: emodin, apoptosis, autoimmune disease, concanavalin A, immune cells

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