Abstract:Shikonin has anti-tumor activity, and it not only can inhibit the proliferation, migration and infiltration of glioma cells, but also induce necroptosis of glioma cells via promoting the production of reactive oxygen species. Shikonin combined with endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitors or regulatory tactics of micro-RNA expression may further enhance its killing effect on gliomas. Shikonin armed by nanoparticles shows increased targetability to gliomas. Shikonin combined with tumor-targeted therapeutic drugs or chemotherapeutic drugs is expected to overcome the drug resistance of glioma cells.

Key words:Gliomas,Shikonin,Reactive oxygen species,Antineoplastic agents,Necroptosis