Artemisia princeps var orientalis induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Background: Dried leaves of Artemisia princeps var orientalis are used in the Eastern practice of moxibustion to improve general health. The ability of A. princeps smoke and water extracts to induce apoptosis was evaluated in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro. Materials and Methods: Tumor cells were cultured with a smoke or water extract (1.5-50% v/v) for 72 h, and cytotoxicity and apoptosis were determined by MTT and TUNEL assays, respectively. Activation of caspases, changes in membrane potential, and BCL-2 expression were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Both preparations inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Induction of apoptosis was associated with activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9, depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and down-regulation of BCL-2 expression. Furthermore, A. princeps smoke exerted synergistic cytotoxicity with doxorubicin. Conclusion: The data suggest that A. princeps smoke and water soluble extracts induce apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway and may represent a novel adjuvant for the treatment of breast cancer.