Kaempferol is a natural compound contained in edible plants, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anti-cancer agent. Here, we show for the first time that the combined treatment with kaempferol and TRAIL drastically induced apoptosis in human colon cancer SW480 cells, compared to single treatments. Kaempferol markedly up-regulated TRAIL receptors, DR5 and DR4. DR5 but not DR4 siRNA efficiently blocked apoptosis induced by the co-treatment with kaempferol and TRAIL, indicating that DR5 up-regulation by kaempferol helps to enhance TRAIL actions. Moreover, we examined the combined effect on normal human cells. The co-treatment induced no apoptosis in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and little apoptosis in normal human hepatocytes. These results suggest that kaempferol is useful for TRAIL-based treatments for cancer. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.