In this research, citral was observed as a possible agent responsible for activating apoptotic cell death. Citral is a terpene compound found in essential oils such as lemongrass and other herbs. This study investigated the cytotoxic effect of citral on M624 human melanoma cells to quantify cellular death and provide evidence for citral as a potential chemotherapeutic remedy. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) proteins are needed for DNA repair and PARP cleavage signals apoptosis. Clonogenic assays demonstrated promising results of killing ~20%, ~38%, and ~50% of M624 human melanoma cells after three hours of treatment of 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5 mM citral respectively. Further investigation of the role of PARP in the treatment of human melanoma cells was performed by western blotting, identifying the expression and activation of PARP. Conclusions for this study will allow for identification of apoptotic versus necrotic death in melanoma cells treated with citral.

Effect of citral on apoptosis in human melanoma cells

255th National Meeting (2018)

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