The anti-nasopharyngeal carcinoma activity and mechanism of the alkaloids of Alocasia macrorrhiza in vitro and in vivo

Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, with alkaloids as its primary bio-active components. The previous studies demonstrated that the alkaloids from Alocasia macrorrhiza can significantly inhibit the proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, but the further molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this study elucidated the anti-NPC activity and molecular mechanisms of the total alkaloids (AMA) and a piperidine alkaloid monomer (AMD-8) derived from Alocasia macrorrhiza.