ABSTRACT
Objective To clarify the mechanisms of total saponins of panax ginseng (TSPG) in induction of apoptosis of K562 cells and to provide the theoretical basis and the experimental evidence for its clinical application. Methods The effects of TSPG on apoptosis of K562 cells were studied by morphometry, flow cytometry, morphological observation, and immunocytochemistry. Results The results indicated that TSPG could markedly inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells and induce the apoptosis of K562 cells. Our experiment also showed that after induction by TSPG, the ratio of positive K562 cells with Fas expression increased. Conclusion The mechanisms of TSPG in the induction of K562 cell apoptosis may be related to the increased expression of Fas in K562 cells.