Wogonin, a plant flavone, potentiates etoposide-induced apoptosis in cancer cells.

Etoposide, a podophylotoxin anticancer agent, induces apoptotic cell death in normal and cancer cells. Etoposide-induced apoptosis plays a role in not only anticancer effect but also adverse reaction, such as myelosuppression. Since we have found that wogonin, a flavone found in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, prevents thymocyte apoptosis induced by various compounds including etoposide, we examined the effect of this flavone on etoposide-induced apoptosis in cancer cells.

Cationic surfactants induce apoptosis in normal and cancer cells.

Cationic surfactants, such as benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride, possess quaternary ammonium salt. These surfactants have antimicrobial action and are used as a preservative and an antiseptic. The positively charged polar head of cationic surfactants seems to play a role in the antimicrobial action of these compounds.