Atractylenolide III is a major component of Atractylodes rhizome can induce apoptosis of the lung carcinoma cells.IC50 value:Target: Anticancer natural compoundin vitro: ATL-III inhibited cell growth, increased lactate dehydrogenase release and modulated cell cycle on human lung carcinoma A549 cells. ALT-III induced the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and cleavage of poly-(ADP)-ribose polymerase. ATL-III induced the release of cytochrome c, upregulation of bax expression, and translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor [1]. Atractylenolide II did not show cytoprotective effects, but oral administration of atractylenolide III dose-dependently prevented ethanol-induced PRGM cell death and cell membrane damage. The EC50 values were 0.27 and 0.34 mm, respectively [2]. Against adult D. pteronyssinus, atractylenolide III (LD50, 73.8 mg/m2) and atractylon (72.1 mg/m2) were eight times more active than Deet and 2.5-fold more toxic than dibutyl phthalate [3].in vivo: In the in-vivo assay, atractylenolide III 10 mg/kg significantly reduced 70% ethanol-induced Wistar rat gastric ulcer. Atractylenolide III could inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression through upregulation of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase from the gastric ulcerated tissues [2].

References:
[1]. Kang TH, et al. Atractylenolide III, a sesquiterpenoid, induces apoptosis in human lung carcinoma A549 cells via mitochondria-mediated death pathway. Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 Feb;49(2):514-9.
[2]. Wang KT, et al. Gastroprotective activity of atractylenolide III from Atractylodes ovata on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in vitro and in vivo. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2010 Mar;62(3):381-8.
[3]. Kim HK, et al. Toxicity of atractylon and atractylenolide III Identified in Atractylodes ovata rhizome to Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Jul 25;55(15):6027-31.