Inhibition of autophagy enhances timosaponin AIII-induced lung cancer cell apoptosis and anti-tumor effect in vitro and in vivo

Timosaponin AIII (TAIII), an active component with anti-tumor activity from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, can induce both autophagy and apoptosis of cancer cells. The present study aimed to reveal the promoting or inhibiting role of TAIII-induced autophagy on TAIII-induced apoptosis, to determine the respective upstream signaling pathways for TAIII-induced autophagy and apoptosis; and to observe the therapeutic potential of TAIII in human non-small cell lung cancer in vivo.