Fig. 2

Combination treatment of hyperthermia and oridonin (Ori) significantly increased the killing effects on NPC cells and CSC-like population within NPC cells in vitro. A CCK-8 assay was performed in CNE2 and SUNE1 cells treated with oridonin at different concentrations for 24 h. B qRT-PCR was used to detect stemness-related gene expression in CNE2 and SUNE1 cells treated with different concentrations of oridonin (20, 40 and 60 μM) for 24 h. C, D Tumor sphere formation assay was performed in CNE2 and SUNE1 cells treated with oridonin at 20, 40 and 60 μM concentration for 24 h. E, F AnnexinV/PI apoptosis assay was performed in CNE2 and SUNE1 cells treated with the indicated concentrations of oridonin for 24 h. G qRT-PCR was used to detect apoptosis-related gene expression in CNE2 and SUNE1 cells treated with the indicated concentrations of oridonin for 24 h. H–L CCK-8 assay H, colony formation assay I, J and tumor sphere formation assay K, L were performed in CNE2 and SUNE1 cells treated with oridonin (20 μM) alone or combined treated with hyperthermia (42 °C for 30 min)