Wogonoside induces apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells by promoting mitochondria dysfunction.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most prevailing malignancies worldwide. It has been previously shown that wogonoside exerts anti-tumor activities in various kinds of human cancers. But its role in NSCLC remains elusive. In the present study, we determined the anti-tumor effect of wogonoside in human NSCLC A549 cells. We found that wogonoside effectively inhibits A549 cell viability through inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, administration of wogonoside by intraperitoneal injection inhibits the growth of A549 cell xenografts in athymic nude mice. Additionally, mitochondrial membrane potential was disrupted and cytochrome c was released to cytosol in the wogonoside-treated A549 cells. Finally, we found that AMPK/mTOR signaling might be implicated in the anti-NSCLC efficacy of wogonoside. Therefore, we may assume that wogonoside may be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of NSCLC.