Down-regulation of the JAK2/PI3K-mediated signaling activation is involved in Taiwan cobra cardiotoxin III-induced apoptosis of human breast MDA-MB-231 cancer cells

Cardiotoxin III (CTX III), a basic polypeptide with 60 amino acid residues isolated from Naja naja atra venom, has been reported to have anticancer activity. Exposure of MDA-MB-231 cells with 0.03, 0.09, and 0.15 μM of CTX III for 18 h, CTX III-induced cell apoptosis, as evidenced by accumulation of sub-G1 population, externalization of phosphatidylserine, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) with subsequent release of cytochrome c, and activation of both capases-9 and caspase-3. This correlated with up-regulation in Bax and Bad, and down-regulation of various anti-apoptotic proteins, including Bcl-2, Bcl-X_L, and survivin in CTX III-treated cells. Mechanistic studies showed that CTX III suppressed the phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT3, Akt, and activation of PI3K. Moreover, the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin blocked activation of STAT3 and Akt without affecting the JAK2 activation, whereas JAK2 inhibitor AG490 suppressed the levels of phospho-STAT3, phospho-Akt, and PI3K, suggesting that PI3K activation occurs after JAK2 phosphorylation, and both PI3K and JAK2 kinases cooperate to mediate STAT3 and Akt phosphorylation. Both AG490 and wortmannin also led to up-regulation in Bax and Bad, and down-regulation of Bcl-2, Bcl-X_L, and survivin in MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that CTX III induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells via concomitant inactivation of the JAK2, STAT3, PI3K, and Akt signaling pathways.     

Naphtho[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione disrupts Janus kinase-2 and induces apoptosis in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

Naphtho[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione (NFD), prepared from 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and chloroacetaldehyde in an efficient one-pot reaction, exhibits an anti-carcinogenic effect. NFD-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells, as indicated by the accumulation of sub-G1 population, externalization of phosphatidylserine, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) with subsequent release of cytochrome c, and activation of both capase-9 and caspase-3. This correlated with up-regulation in Bax and Bad, and down-regulation of various anti-apoptotic proteins, including Bcl-2, Bcl-X_L, Mcl-1, and survivin in NFD-treated cells. In the analysis of signal transduction pathway, NFD suppressed the phosphorylation of JAK2 in MDA-MB-231 cells without altering the expression of JAK2 protein. Activation of STAT3, Src, and PI3K/Akt were also inhibited by NFD. Moreover, the JAK2 inhibitor AG490 blocked JAK2, STAT3, Src, PI3K, and Akt activation, whereas both Src inhibitor PP2 and PI3K inhibitor wortmannin did not affect JAK2 activation. This suggests that STAT3, Src, and PI3K/Akt are downstream molecules of the JAK2 signaling pathway. AG490 treatment also mimics the cytotoxic effects of NFD. Taken together, these results indicate that NFD disrupts JAK2 pathway and induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells.     

Cardiotoxin III suppresses MDA-MB-231 cell metastasis through the inhibition of EGF/EGFR-mediated signaling pathway

Cardiotoxin III (CTX III), a basic polypeptide isolated from Naja naja atra venom, has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor, EGFR, play roles in cancer metastasis in various tumors. We use EGF as a metastatic inducer of MDA-MB-231 cells to investigate the effect of CTX III on cell migration. CTX III inhibited the EGF-induced activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and further suppressed cell invasion and migration without obvious cellular cytotoxicity. CTX III suppressed EGF-induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and also abrogated the EGF-induced phosphorylation of EGFR, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. In addition, CTX III similar to wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) and U0126 (an up-stream kinase regulating ERK1/2 inhibitor) attenuated cell migration and invasion induced by EGF. Furthermore, the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 inhibited EGF-induced MMP-9 expression, cell migration and invasion, as well as the activation of ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt, suggesting that ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt activation occur downstream of EGFR activation. These findings suggest that CTX III inhibited the EGF-induced invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells via EGFR-dependent PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2, and NF-κB signaling, leading to the down-regulation of MMP-9 expression. These results provide a novel mechanism to explain the role of CTX III as a potent anti-metastatic agent in MDA-MB-231 cells.     

基于PI3K-Akt信号通路研究罗哌卡因对肺癌细胞A549细胞生物学功能的影响

目的 探讨罗哌卡因(Ropivacaine)通过磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶(Phospoinositide 3-kinase,PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(Protein kinase B,Akt)信号通路影响肺癌细胞A549增殖、迁移、侵袭和凋亡.方法 采用细胞计数试剂盒8(CCK-8)法检测(0、100、200和400 μg/m...     

Leukotriene B4 receptor antagonist LY293111 induces S-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells

We have previously shown that the leukotriene B4 receptor antagonist, LY293111 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. In the current study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of LY293111-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Two human pancreatic cancer cell lines were used in this study, MiaPaCa-2 and AsPC-1. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed a dramatic increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells as well as S-phase arrest after treatment with 250 nmol/l LY293111 for up to 48 h. Western blotting indicated that LY293111 treatment induced cytochrome c release from the mitochondria into the cytosol, accompanied by caspase-9, caspase-7 and caspase-3 activation, and cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase. Caspase-8 was not activated by LY293111. A decrease was found in the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, and an increase in the proapoptotic protein, Bax. LY293111 reduced the expression of CDK2, cyclin A and cyclin E, consistent with the S-phase arrest observed in these cells. The expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27 was not affected by LY293111 treatment. In conclusion, LY293111 induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells through the mitochondria-mediated pathway. LY293111 also induces S-phase arrest with downregulation of CDK2, cyclin A and cyclin E. Blockade of leukotriene B4 metabolic pathway may provide a novel treatment for human pancreatic cancer.     

Involvement of c-jun N-terminal kinase in G2/M arrest and caspase-mediated apoptosis induced by cardiotoxin III (Naja naja atra) in K562 leukemia cells.

Cardiotoxin III (CTX III), a basic polypeptide with 60 amino acid residues isolated from Naja naja atra venom, may have a potentiality as a structural template for rational drug design in killing cancer cells. Treatment of K562 cells with 0.3 microM of CTX III resulted in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest that was associated with a marked decline in protein levels of G2/M regulatory proteins including cyclin A, cyclin B1, Cdk2 and Cdc25C. In contrast to no effect on the phosphorylation of ERK, p38 MAPK and Akt, an activation of JNK was noted when K562 cells were exposed to CTX III. CTX III-mediated G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis were reduced by treatment with the JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125, but not by ERK and p38MAPK inhibitors. Further investigation showed that the specific JNK inhibitor, SP600125, reduced the activation of caspase-3, caspase-9, and reversed the decline in the expression of cyclin B1. Taken together, our data show for the first time that JNK, but not ERK, p38MAPK or Akt signaling, plays an important role in CTX III-mediated G2/M arrest and apoptosis in K562 cancer cells.     

The modulation of PI3K/Akt pathway by 3β hydroxylup-12-en-28-oic acid isolated from Thymus linearis induces cell death in HCT-116 cells

The presence of intricate carbon skeletons in natural compounds enhances their bioactivity spectrum with unique modes of action at several targets in various dreadful diseases like cancer. The present study was designed to purify the molecules from Thymus linearis and elucidate their antiproliferative activity. The compounds were isolated from the active methanolic extract of Thymus linearis through column chromatography and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Antiproliferative activity of isolated compounds was evaluated using MTT assay on cancer and normal cell lines. Mechanism of cell death was elucidated using flow cytometric, microscopic, and Western blot analysis. Four compounds, Sitosterol, Chrysin, 3β-hydroxylup-12-en-28-oic acid (3BH), and β-Sitosterol glycoside, were isolated. Among these, 3BH was most potent antiproliferative agent across all cell lines under study, HCT-116 being the most affected one. 3BH was demonstrated to downregulate PI3Ksubunits (p110α and p85α), downstream pAktSer⁴⁷³ and prompted G₁ phase cell cycle arrest. The cell cycle CDK inhibitor p27 and p21 were upregulated with simultaneous downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin E in HCT-116 cells. This was accompanied by apoptosis, as depicted by decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio, with increase in active caspases-3 and caspase-9, cleavage of PARP-1, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The findings established that 3BH induced cell death in HCT-116 cells by modulating PI3K/Akt signaling axis, impeding cell cycle, and instigating apoptosis.     

Involvement of Chk1-Cdc25A-cyclin A/CDK2 pathway in simvastatin induced S-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells

Statins have been demonstrated to effectively inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells by inhibition of geranylgeranylation, however its novel molecular mechanism remains to be determined. Recently simvastatin has been found to result in the synergistic induction of apoptosis with 7-hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) (a Chk1 inhibitor) in myeloma cells. Therefore we hypothesized that Chk1 plays a role in the anti-myeloma effect of simvastatin. Interestingly, we found that simvastatin caused a dose-dependent increase in S phase cell cycle and induced significant apoptosis. The results of western blot showed that simvastatin-induced S-phase cell cycle arrest was associated with activation of Chk1, downregulation of Cdc25A, cyclin A and CDK2 expression. Additionally, simvastatin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by diminished Bcl-2 protein expression, increased cytosolic cytochrome c level, and activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3. Further investigation revealed that silence of Chk1 expression by Chk1 specific siRNA inhibited simvastatin-induced activation of Chk1, downregulation of Cdc25A, cyclin A and CDK2 expression, and diminished S phase cell cycle arrest. Additionally, inhibition of Chk1 expression enhanced simvastatin-induced downregulation of Bcl-2, caspase 9 cleavage and subsequent apoptosis. These results suggested that the Chk1-Cdc25A-cyclin A/CDk2 pathway was involved in simvastatin-induced S-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cell lines.     

Isoalantolactone, a sesquiterpene lactone, induces apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells via mitochondrial and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathways

Isoalantolactone, a sesquiterpene lactone, possesses anti-fungal as well as cytotoxic properties. In this study, the effects of Isoalantolactone on cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis were investigated in human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC-7901 cells. The results demonstrated that Isoalantolactone induced morphological changes and decreased cell viability. Subsequently, we found that Isoalantolactone induced G2/M and S phase arrest, which was associated with a decrease in the expression level of cyclin B1. Apoptosis triggered by Isoalantolactone was visualized using propidium iodide (PI) and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Isoalantolactone-induced apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells was associated with the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ _m) that was due to the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax that led to the cleavage of caspase-3. Additionally, it was found that Isoalantolactone was involved in the inhibition of phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt. Isoalantolactone-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells involve mitochondria-caspase and PI3K/Akt dependent pathways, which gives the rationale for in vivo studies on the utilization of Isoalantolactone as a potential cancer therapeutic compound.     

牡丹苷A诱导人肺癌A549细胞凋亡的作用和机制

目的:研究牡丹苷A对人肺癌A549细胞株的作用以及其诱导人肺癌A549细胞株凋亡机制。方法:本研究采用MTT法检测牡丹苷A对体外人肺癌细胞株A549增殖率的影响。Annexin V/PI双标法检测牡丹苷A对A549凋亡率,蛋白免疫印迹法和细胞免疫细胞化学法分别检测牡丹苷A对A549细胞株PI3K,Akt,NF-κBp65,Bax,Bcl-2的表达,并采用PI3K/Akt/NF-κB通路的激动剂IGF-1和抑制剂wortmannin进一步探讨牡丹苷A对PI3K/Akt/NF-κB信号通路的作用。结果:牡丹苷A能够抑制A549的增殖,上调Bax蛋白的表达量,下调Bcl-2蛋白的表达量,Bcl-2/Bax比值显著降低,同时降低PI3K, NF-κBp65的蛋白表达,抑制Akt磷酸化。结论:牡丹苷A能够阻碍A549增殖,并促进其凋亡,其诱导凋亡的机制可能与抑制PI3K/Akt/NF-κB通路有关。     

野马追总黄酮的体内外抗乳腺癌活性及机制研究

目的 探究野马追总黄酮(TFE)的体内外抗乳腺癌活性及相关的作用机制。方法 MTT法检测TFE对乳腺癌细胞(MCF-7、T47D、MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-468)和人正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A增殖的影响;流式细胞术检测TFE对乳腺癌细胞周期和凋亡的影响;吖啶橙(AO)染色法检测TFE对细胞自噬的影响;Western blot检测细胞周期、凋亡、自噬相关蛋白的变化,以及PI3K/Akt信号通路相关蛋白的变化;建立MDA-MB-231细胞的裸鼠移植瘤模型,观察TFE的体内抗肿瘤活性。结果 TFE能明显抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖,并呈剂量依赖性,而对人正常乳腺上皮细胞无显著的抑制作用;TFE能增加G₂/M期细胞比例,上调p-cdc-2蛋白表达,下调cdc-2和Cyclin B1蛋白表达;TFE能显著增加乳腺癌细胞凋亡比例,上调促凋亡蛋白Bad和Bax表达,下调抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2表达;TFV能够诱导乳腺癌细胞产生自噬,自噬相关蛋白LC3-II表达上升,p62表达降低;TFE能够抑制显著抑制PI3K和Akt的磷酸化水平;TFE能够在体内抑制裸鼠肿瘤的体积。结论 TFE通过抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路,阻滞细胞周期、诱导凋亡和自噬,进而在体内外抑制乳腺癌细胞的生长。     

虎杖苷通过蛋白激酶 B信号通路影响胃癌细胞增殖凋亡

目的 研究虎杖苷对胃癌细胞SGC-7901增殖和凋亡的影响和机制.方法 虎杖苷处理胃癌细胞SGC-7901,MTT法检测增殖,平板克隆实验检测克隆形成能力,碘化丙啶(PI)单染法检测细胞周期分布,膜联蛋白V-异硫氰酸荧光素/碘化丙啶(Annexin V-FITC/PI)双染法检测细胞凋亡,蛋白质印迹法(Western blotting)检测细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclin D1)、周期蛋白依赖性激酶4(CDK4)、Bcl-2相关X(Bax)、剪切型胱天蛋白酶-3(Cleaved-caspase-3)、磷酸化-蛋白激酶B(p-Akt)蛋白表达.用蛋白激酶B(Akt)信号激活剂和虎杖苷联合处理胃癌细胞SGC-7901,检测细胞增殖、克隆、周期、凋亡变化.结果 虎杖苷处理以后的胃癌细胞SGC-7901增殖能力下降[(0.58±0.06)比(0.20±0.01)],细胞克隆形成数目减少[(118.54±10.65)个比(69.52±7.91)个],细胞凋亡增多[(2.97±0.32)％比(17.45±1.69)％],细胞G0/G1比例升高[(50.47±3.25)％比(67.13±3.84)％],cyclin D1、CDK4蛋白表达减少,Bax、Cleaved-caspase-3蛋白表达水平升高,p-Akt蛋白水平降低[(0.51±0.05)比(0.24±0.03)].Akt信号激活剂处理可以逆转虎杖苷对胃癌细胞SGC-7901增殖、克隆抑制和周期阻滞、凋亡促进作用.结论 虎杖苷通过抑制Akt信号通路阻碍胃癌细胞增殖并诱导细胞凋亡.     

栝楼桂枝颗粒抑制MCAO大鼠神经元凋亡的机制研究

目的 研究栝楼桂枝颗粒（Gualou Guizhi granule,GLGZG）是否通过调控PI3K/AKT通路抑制脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠神经元凋亡而达到抗脑缺血再灌注损伤的作用。方法 SD大鼠36只,♂,分为假手术组、大脑中动脉栓塞（middle cerebral artery occlusion,MCAO）组、GLGZG组,每组12只。其中MCAO组、GLGZG组采用线栓法致MCAO建立大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤模型,GLGZG灌胃给药,连续给药7 d。采用改良的神经功能缺损评分法对大鼠神经功能损伤进行评分,MRI观察大鼠脑梗死体积,Real-time PCR检测脑组织中PI3K、Akt mRNA的表达,Western blot法检测大鼠缺血侧脑组织PI3K（p85）、Akt、p-Akt、PDK1、Bcl-2、Bcl-xL、cleaved-caspase-3、Bad、Bax蛋白表达。结果 与MCAO组比较,GLGZG组神经行为学评分降低,第5、7天神经评分显著低于MCAO组（P<0.05）;与MCAO组比较,MRI观察发现GLGZG组大鼠脑梗死体积显著减小（P<0.05）;PI3K（p85）、p-Akt、PDK1、Bcl-2、Bcl-xL蛋白的表达上调（P<0.01）,cleaved-caspase-3、Bad、Bax蛋白的表达下调（P<0.01）,对Akt的表达没有影响。结论 GLGZG能够提高MCAO大鼠神经功能,抑制神经细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能是通过激活PI3K/AKT信号通路抑制MCAO大鼠神经元凋亡。     

鱼腥草总黄酮调控PI3K/Akt信号通路诱导人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7凋亡的实验研究

目的：探讨鱼腥草总黄酮调控磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶（PI3K）/蛋白激酶B（Akt）信号通路对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7凋亡的诱导作用。方法：取对数期MCF-7细胞,随机分为4组（5个复孔）,低、中、高剂量组分别用3,6,9 g·L^-1鱼腥草总黄酮处理,对照组用磷酸盐缓冲液（PBS）处理。干预48 h后进行细胞形态学观察;对比干预12,24,48 h时的细胞凋亡率;对比干预48 h时PI3K、Akt、B淋巴细胞瘤-2基因（Bcl-2）、Bcl-2相关X蛋白（Bax）mRNA和PI3K、Akt、磷酸化Akt（pAkt）、Bcl-2、Bax蛋白相对表达量。结果：Hoechst 33258染色结果显示,干预后3剂量组部分细胞体积缩小、染色质浓缩,出现凋亡小体,且中剂量组凋亡现象最为明显;细胞凋亡率、Bax mRNA和蛋白相对表达量组间比较,中剂量组最高、高剂量组其次、低剂量组其稍低、对照组最低,且每2组间比较差异均有显著性（P<0.05）;细胞凋亡率组内比较,对照组随时间的延长变化不显著（P>0.05）,3剂量组均随时间的延长显著增加（P<0.05）;PI3K、Bcl-2 mRNA和PI3K、pAkt、Bcl-2蛋白相对表达量组间比较,中剂量组最低、高剂量组其次、低剂量组稍高、对照组最高,且每2组间比较差异均有显著性（P<0.05）;Akt mRNA和蛋白相对表达量组间比较差异均不显著（P>0.05）。结论：鱼腥草总黄酮可促进人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7的凋亡,其中浓度为6 g·L^-1时促凋亡作用最强,推测是通过下调PI3K、Bcl-2 mRNA和PI3K、pAkt、Bcl-2蛋白表达,上调Bax mRNA和蛋白的表达,与PI3K/Akt信号通路有关。     

PI3K/Akt信号通路在小檗碱联合人参皂苷Rg3诱导鼻咽癌细胞凋亡中的调控作用

目的研究PI3K/Akt信号通路在小檗碱联合人参皂苷Rg3诱导鼻咽癌细胞凋亡中的作用。方法RTCA法检测小檗碱联合人参皂苷Rg3对鼻咽癌CNE2、6-10B细胞增殖的影响;Hoechst 33342染色法、荧光双染流式细胞仪检测药物对CNE2细胞凋亡的影响;Western blot法检测PI3K/Akt信号通路关键蛋白及凋亡相关蛋白表达的变化。结果小檗碱联合人参皂苷Rg3可抑制鼻咽癌CNE2、6-10B细胞的增殖,诱导CNE2细胞的凋亡。与单独用药组相比,联合用药组细胞的PI3K/Akt信号通路关键蛋白PI3K p110α和p-Akt的表达明显下调(P<0.05)。加入PI3K/Akt信号通路的激活剂SC79后,小檗碱联合人参皂苷Rg3抑制CNE2细胞增殖和诱导细胞凋亡的效应降低,p-Akt、Survivin、PCNA及Bcl-2表达量增加,Bax的表达下降。结论小檗碱联合人参皂苷Rg3可通过PI3K/Akt信号通路发挥抑制鼻咽癌细胞增殖和诱导细胞凋亡的作用。     

Myricitrin attenuates endothelial cell apoptosis to prevent atherosclerosis: An insight into PI3K/Akt activation and STAT3 signaling pathways

Blood vessel endothelial dysfunction induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vasculopathy. The ox-LDL-elicited reactive oxygen species (ROS) release has been assumed to serve a critical function in endothelial damage. Myricitrin (from Myrica cerifera) is a natural antioxidant that has strong anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities. However, the protective effect of myricitrin on ROS-induced endothelial cell injury and its related molecular mechanisms have never been investigated. This study demonstrates that myricitrin can inhibit ox-LDL-induced endothelial apoptosis and prevent plaque formation at an early stage in an atherosclerotic mouse model. The administration of myricitrin in vivo decreases the thickness of the vascular wall in the aortic arch of ApoE −/− mice. In vitro study shows that ox-LDL-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell apoptosis can be reduced upon receiving myricitrin pre-treatment. Treatment with myricitrin significantly attenuated ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell apoptosis by inhibiting LOX-1 expression and by increasing the activation of the STAT3 and PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathways. At the same time, our result demonstrates that myricitrin treatment optimizes the balance of pro/anti-apoptosis proteins, including Bax, Bad, XIAP, cIAP-2, and survivin. Our study suggests that myricitrin treatment can effectively protect cells from ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, which results in reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation. This result indicates that myricitrin can be used as a drug candidate for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.     

Cetuximab enhances oridonin-induced apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells

Cetuximab plus oridonin showed a synergistic way to kill laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), as been reported previously. The present work further mechanistically extended action of the synergistic effects of combination treatment. Firstly, two LSCC cells displayed higher sensitivity to oridonin, whereas both low EGFR expression tumor cells and EGFR knockdown LSCC cells were less sensitive to oridonin. Next, cetuximab/oridonin significantly enhanced the mitochondrial apoptosis through NF-κB. Meanwhile, PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 pathways are associated with the nucleus translocation of NF-κB by combination treatment. Additionally, cetuximab enhanced oridonin-promoted ER stress-related apoptosis. Interestingly, both ER stress and mitochondrial apoptosis by combination treatment are abrogated by ROS scavenger. Furthermore, oridonin/cetuximab induced ROS production after 1.5 h, followed by G2/M arrest and apoptosis, indicating that ROS generation might be an early and key event. Taken together, cetuximab enhances oridonin-induced ER stress and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which contributes to the synergistic antitumor effects of cetuximab/oridonin.