Additive cytotoxic effects of dihydroartemisinin and sodium salicylate on cancer cells.

Background/aim 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). Materials and 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. Results and conclusion 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.