Apigeninidin induces apoptosis through activation of Bak and Bax and subsequent mediation of mitochondrial damage in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

► The ratio of Bak to Bcl-2 and Bax to Bcl-2 was enhanced by apigeninidin. ► Multidomain pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins Bak and Bax were activated by apigeninidin. ► Mitochondria-dependent activation of caspase cascade was induced by apigeninidin. ► Release of mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was induced by apigeninidin. ► Cytotoxicity of apigeninidin was more potent in malignant cells than in normal cells.