Xanthine oxidase inhibitory terpenoids of Amentotaxus formosana protect cisplatin-induced cell death by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in normal human urothelial and bladder cancer cells

Terpenoids, isolated from Amentotaxus formosana, i.e. (+)-sugiol, exhibited potent inhibition of XO activity. When cotreated with cisplatin, levels of ROS generated in NTUB1 and SV-HUC1 cells were less than treatment with cisplatin alone. This indicates that compounds reducing ROS activity can offer protection against disease associated with increased ROS levels.