Tumor-Selective Cytotoxicity of Nitidine Results from Its Rapid Accumulation into Mitochondria

Figure 3

Inhibition of nitidine (NTD) accumulation into mitochondria by treatment of mitochondrial membrane depolarizer. A549 cells were treated with or without 50 μM of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) for 1 h. Disappearance of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by JC-1 (2 μM) fluorescence. Control cells show accumulation of JC-1 or NTD in mitochondria. CCCP-treated cells showed disappearance of MMP (m). In the same condition, NTD fluorescence also disappeared.