potentiation of in vitro apoptotic effects of δ-tocotrienol and jerantinine a on human lung adenocarcinoma cells

Introduction: the apoptotic effects of single-compound and combined sub-effective concentrations of δ-tocotrienol and jerantinine a on human lung adenocarcinoma (a549) cells were investigated. methods: assays including cell viability, histochemical and immunofluorescence staining techniques, flow cytometry and enzyme activity were used. results: the combination of δ-tocotrienol with jerantinine a at sub-effective concentrations induced a synergistic effect and improved selective toxicity towards cancerous a549 cells over normal lung fibroblast (mrc5) cells compared to the single-compound jerantinine. morphological features of apoptosis were evident on treated a549 cells. combined sub-effective concentrations of δ-tocotrienol with jerantinine a induced a predominantly g2/m cell cycle arrest and characterised by a disruption of microtubular networks mediated via caspase 8, 9 and 3 enzymatic activities. conclusion: these findings demonstrated improved potency in vitro and reduced dose-related toxicity of jerantinine a to normal cells through prospective combined treatment between low-concentration δ-tocotrienol and jerantinine a for lung cancer.