Artemisia Argyi Extract Uses PI3K/MAPK Signaling to Induce Apoptosis in Human Gemcitabine-Resistant Lung Cancer Cells

Artemisia argyi H. Lév. & Vaniot (Asteraceae), also called "Chinese mugwort,” is frequently used as a herbal medicine in China, Japan, Korea, and eastern parts of Russia. It is termed “ai ye” and “Gaiyou” in China and Japan, respectively. It was an ancient Chinese practice that before Tomb-sweeping day, the leaves of A. argyi be consumed. Renal and Hepatic pathologies and conditions such as hepatitis, asthma, sinusitis, irregular menstrual cycles, and inflammatory syndromes were all treated by this plant. Although A. argyi extract (AAE) has demonstrated antineoplastic potential, the mechanisms by which this is achieved in lung cancer are yet to be known. Su et al. used CL1-0 parent and gemcitabine-resistant (CL1-0-GR) lung cancer cells to investigate the underlying mechanisms of AAE’s anti-tumor effects. In CL1-0 and CL1-0-GR cells, a significantly decreased cell viability and induction of apoptosis were observed after AAE treatment. AAE-induced apoptosis was found to be regulated via the PI3K/AKT, and MAPK signaling pathways. AAE also prevented CL1-0 and CL1-0-GR cancer cell invasion, migration, colony formation, and spheroid formation. In addition, AAE acted cooperatively with commercial chemotherapy drugs to enhance tumor spheroid shrinkage. Their study provides the first evidence that A. argyi treatment suppresses both parent and gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells by inducing ROS, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and apoptosis. Their findings provide insights into the anti-cancer activity of A. argyi and suggest that the plant may serve as a chemotherapy adjuvant that potentiates the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. J Ethnopharmacol (2022) DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115658.