Synergistic antitumor effect of β-elemene and etoposide is mediated via induction of cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells.

β-Elemene, an anticancer agent, was isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine plant, curcuma aromatica. In this study, we investigated the synergistic antitumor effect of β-elemene and etoposide phosphate (VP-16) in A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. The cells were treated with β-elemene (20 or 50 µg/ml), VP-16 (15 µg/ml) or the combination of both for 24 h. Compared to the treatment with β-elemene or VP-16 alone, an increased antitumor activity was observed with the combination of both, which was mediated by the cleavage of PARP, the up-regulation of Bax, p53 and p21, and the suppression of cyclin D1. These results suggest that the combination of β-elemene and VP-16 may be a promising therapeutic option for lung cancer.