Sensitisation of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin by flavonoids from Scutellaria barbata.

Combination of natural components with anticancer drugs is a new strategy for cancer chemotherapy to increase antitumour responses. In this study, we investigated the sensitisation effects of nine flavonoids from Scutellaria barbata to cisplatin (CDDP) on human ovarian cancer cells. The combinations of three flavonoids with CDDP showed the synergistic effects.

Alantolactone induces activation of apoptosis in human hepatoma cells.

Alantolactone, a sesquiterpene lactone, possesses anti-inflammatory property. In this study, we provide evidence that it could be developed as a novel agent against human liver cancer. We observed that alantolactone treatment to HepG2, Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721 cells, human liver cancer cell lines resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth.

Emodin regulates apoptotic pathway in human liver cancer cells.

Emodin, a natural anthraquinone, has been reported to possess antiproliferative effects in many cancer cell lines. However, anticancer mechanism against human liver cancer remains unclear. In this study, we observed that emodin induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells and caused a significant accumulation of cells in the G1 phase.

Activation of apoptosis by ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Dianthus superbus in HepG2 cell line.

Dianthus superbus L. is commonly used as a traditional Chinese medicine. We recently showed that ethyl acetate fraction (EE-DS) from ethanol extract of D.

Anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil of Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var. hirtus Regel.

This study was designed to examine the anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var. hirtus Regel.

Apoptosis of Hela cells induced by extract from Cremanthodium humile.

Cremanthodium humile (C. humile) is a traditional herbal medicine for treatment of inflammation. Based on initial screening results, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect on four human cancer cell lines and one non-cancer cell line (293), then to determine the possible mechanisms of cell death elicited by the extract of C.

Composition, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of essential oils from Aristolochia mollissima.

The compositions of the essential oils from the rhizome and the aerial part of Aristolochia mollissima were analysed by GC-MS, 68 constituents (88.2% of the total oil) and 74 constituents (89.4% of the total oil) were identified, respectively.

Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species during wogonin-induced cell death in human hepatoma cells.

Flavonoids exist extensively in plants, and several biological effects of them have been demonstrated. Wogonin is an important flavonoid compound. In this study, wogonin showed obvious growth inhibition on Bel-7402 cells.