Alantolactone induces activation of apoptosis in human hepatoma cells

► Alantolactone caused apoptosis and arrest of cells in G2-M phase in HepG2 cells. ► Caspase-8 and Bid activation, and cytochrome c release were observed. ► These suggest the existence of a cross-talk between two apoptotic pathways. ► Alantolactone regulated the expression of p53 and NF- κB/p65. ► Our data suggest that alantolactone could be a useful agent against liver cancer.