Dihydroisotanshinone I induced ferroptosis and apoptosis of lung cancer cells

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) is broadly utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for lung cancer. However, it’s exact effort and mechanism on lung cancer is fully unclear. In this study, we found that dihydroisotanshinone I (DT), a pure compound extracted from danshen, can inhibit the growth of A549 cells and H460 cells. DT also induced apoptosis and ferroptosis in these lung cancer cells. DT also blocking the protein expression of GPX4 (Glutathione peroxidase 4). For in vivo study, DT treatment can inhibit metastasis of A549 cells in the nude mice model without adverse effects on mice. In conclusion, DT inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells through apoptosis and ferroptosis and inhibited metastasis of A549 cells in the nude mice model. Further studies are warranted to validate the findings of this study.