Radiotherapy (RT) is commonly used to treat the majority of people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The combinatorial treatment of radiosensitizer and RT could influence the success or failure of treatment for HNSCC patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of Ephedra sinica (ES) as a radiosensitizer to elevate the effectiveness of RT. HNSCC cells were treated with ES extract and radiation and monitored.

In result, the combination of ES extract and radiation influenced the programmed cell death (PCD) of HNSCC cells. The changes associated with PCD were observed through an annexin V-FITC analysis and western blot assay. The combination of ES extract and radiation treatment increased the expression of apoptotic marker BAX and necroptotic marker p-MLKL and resulted in the induction of the PCD, including apoptosis and necroptosis. This result suggests ES has strong potential for use as an adjuvant in RT in HNSCC patients.