Oridonin: targeting programmed cell death pathways as an anti-tumour agent.
Liu, Z. 1; Ouyang, L. 2; Peng, H. 3; Zhang, W.-Z. 1
[Review] Cell Proliferation. 45(6):499-507, December 2012.

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: Oridonin, an active diterpenoid isolated from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has drawn rising attention for its remarkable apoptosis- and autophagy-inducing activity and relevant molecular mechanisms in cancer therapy. Apoptosis is a well known type of cell death, whereas autophagy can play either pro-survival or pro-death roles in cancer cells. Accumulating evidence has recently revealed relationships between apoptosis and autophagy induced by oridonin; however, molecular mechanisms behind them remain to be discovered. In this review, we focus on highlighting updated research on oridonin-induced cell death signalling pathways implicated in apoptosis and autophagy, in many types of cancer. In addition, we further discuss cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy induced by oridonin, in cancer. Taken together, these findings open new perspectives for further exploring oridonin as a potential anti-tumour agent targeting apoptosis and autophagy, in future anti-cancer therapeutics.

Copyright (C) 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.