Plumbagin is a natural compound that has been shown to have antitumor immunity and minimal toxicity. It induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells and increases the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Plumbagin also induces the production of ROS in HL60 cells and inhibits their proliferation by inducing apoptosis. Plumbagin binds to DNA at response elements that are present in genes encoding proteins involved in cell cycle progression or apoptosis signaling. Plumbagin may inhibit protein synthesis by binding to ribosomes. Plumbagin has demonstrated cytotoxic activity against both squamous cell carcinoma cells and HL60 cells with minimal toxicity.