Berberine and ginsenoside Rg3 act synergistically via the MAPK/ERK pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Abstract Herein, we investigated the effects of combining berberine (Ber; the major active constituent of Rhizoma coptidis) with ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3; an active ingredient of Panax ginseng) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, and explored the underlying mechanism. Combining Ber with Rg3 synergistically inhibited the proliferation of NPC CNE2 cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, Ber combined with Rg3 induced apoptosis by promoting the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax, and inhibiting the expression of Survivin, PCNA and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Ber combined with Rg3 plays a role in anti-NPC through MAPK/ERK pathway. Ber combined with Rg3 is a potent natural combination agent with potential for treating and preventing NPC.