This study investigated the in vitro anti-cancer effects of four Chinese natural drugs on the human ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 (cisplatin-sensitive) and A2780/CP70 (cisplatin-resistant). Cells were treated with series of concentrations of drug preparations for 24 h. Vincristine prepared by the same pharmaceutical firm in China; was used as an internal control. As assessed by colony formation assays, harringtonine induced similar growth inhibiting effects in A2780 and A2780/CP70 cell lines with a 50% inhibitory dose (IC50) of 0.195 mu g/ml in both. Rabdosia rubescens Hara demonstrated a cytotoxic effect on cisplatin-sensitive A2780 cells with an IC50 of 0.58 mg/ml; but there was no effect on A2780/CP70 cells. The data suggest direct anti-proliferative activity for at least two Chinese natural medicines used in the clinical treatment of cancer in China. Further investigation of Chinese natural medicines may be valuable in the identification of new and effective anti-cancer drugs with minimal side effects.

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