Andrographolide inhibits proliferation of human lung cancer cells and the related mechanisms.

This study is to determine effect of Andrographolide (AD) on the growth of the non-small cell lung cancer cell line H3255. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) were also detected. The H3255 cells were treated with 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 μM AD for 24 h. MTT assay was performed to examine cell viability. Levels of VEGF and TGF-β1 were detected by ELISA. The ATPase activity and PKC activity were tested. AD treatments decreased cell viability via a concentration-dependent manner, leading to decreases in the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activities (P < 0.05). AD also increased levels of the DNA fragmentation and releasing of lactate dehydrogenase. AD also reduced VEGF and TGF-β1 levels, and inhibited protein kinase C activities in H3255 cells (P < 0.05). AD inhibits proliferation of lung cancer cells via a concentration-dependent manner by a mechanism related to reducing levels of VEGF and TGF-β1. Thus, AD might be a potent anti-lung cancer agent.