Hyperin from Rhododendron Leaves Induces Apoptosis in Endometrial Cancer Cells

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in industrialized countries, and as common gynecologic malignant tumors, endometrial cancer is the second most deadly cancer among women in the world. Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracile (termed CMF regimen) as well as anthracyclines and paclitaxel belong to the chemotherapeutical drugs for cancer. However, the development of drug resistance and severe side effects of standard anticancer drugs necessitates the search for novel treatment options for this disease. The discovery of new natural and synthetic products for cancer treatment is of great urgency to improve prospects of affected women for cure from their disease (Narendra et al., 2010). A wide variety of biological activities from medicinal plants have recently been reported, in addition to their traditional medicinal effects. Herbal medicines have attracted considerable interest as alternative cancer remedies because of their low toxicity and costs. Endometrial cancer rates are continuously increasing in Asia due to persistent high incidences of obesity,