Effects of Dioscin on NLRP3 Inflammasome Expression and Apoptosis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells

INTRODUCTION: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults and is characterized by impaired apoptosis and persistent inflammatory signaling. Dioscin, a natural steroidal saponin, has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, including modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of dioscin on apoptosis and the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins in CLL cell lines. METHODS: values were determined. Apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 were evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Dioscin reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner in all CLL cell lines. Significant increases in late apoptosis/necrosis and necrosis were observed in PGA-1 and MEC-1 cells, but not in Cll cells. A general downward trend in inflammasome-related protein expression was observed across the three cell lines, with only the reduction in ASC expression in PGA-1 cells reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Dioscin promotes cell death predominantly at late stages and may affect inflammasome-related protein expression in CLL cells. Although these findings are encouraging, further studies are needed to better understand the effects of dioscin and its possible role in CLL treatment.