Retraction: Ramentaceone, a Naphthoquinone Derived from Drosera sp., Induces Apoptosis by Suppressing PI3K/Akt Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

After publication of this article [1], concerns were raised about results reported in Figs 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, as detailed below. In light of some of these, an Expression of Concern was issued by the PLOS ONE Editors on January 29, 2019 [2]. Since, the authors stated that a third-party company conducted the colony assay, western blot, and flow cytometry experiments reported in the article, but that initial colony assay and western blot replicates were done in the authors’ laboratory. According to the authors, the results reported in Figs 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 were provided by the third-party company, and the authors do not have the underlying data supporting these figures. The authors did not provide data from the original experiments or comments to address the specific concerns about Figs 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, but the company provided clarifications and supporting files. Specific concerns include: