title: Additive cytotoxic effects of dihydroartemisinin and sodium salicylate on cancer cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The standard methods of chemotherapy in cancer treatment are expensive and pose serious health effects. The present study investigates an alternative chemotherapy by testing the combined treatment of two drugs on leukemia cells: dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and sodium salicylate (SS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cells were divided into 4 treatment groups: a control, treatment with DHA-only, treatment with SS-only, and treatment with both DHA and SS. Cells were counted immediately before the addition of any reagents (0-h count), and at 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At low concentrations, the combination of DHA and SS significantly reduced cancer cell proliferation, although no synergistic interaction between the two drugs was found. Even without a clear synergistic interaction, the combination of DHA and SS provides a safe and affordable form of cancer treatment.
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
authors: Marisa
authors: M
authors: Wickerath
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A. Narendra@u.washington.edu.
authors: Narendra P
authors: NP
authors: Singh
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D012980:Sodium Salicylate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D037621:Artemisinins; C039060:artenimol; D012980:Sodium Salicylate
keywords: Dihydroartemisinin; Molt-4 cells; free radicals; iron; sodium salicylate