Oridonin, a diterpenoid isolated from Rabdosia rubescens displays anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor effects and has been used for the treatment of human cancers, especially esophageal carcinoma. Exposure to oridonin induces apoptosis in AE (AML1-ETO)-bearing leukemic cells through the activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathway and triggering a caspase-3-mediated degradation of AE at D188