The Effects of Qinghao-Kushen and Its Active Compounds on the Biological Characteristics of Liver Cancer Cells

Figure 5

Qinghao-Kushen influenced the level of GSK-3β (a) Qinghao-Kushen inhibited the activity of HepG2, HepG2215, and HuH-7 cells. We detected cell numbers at 12-, 24-, and 36-h treatment with different concentrations of drugs, respectively. The image of morphology of the cells was presented after 20% concentrations of drug treatment. The bar chart shows the effect of Qinghao-Kushen on HepG2, HepG2215, and HuH-7 cells’ activity. (mean ± SD, n = 3). The IC₅₀ of drugs was measured at 24 h and 36 h, respectively. (b) Cytotoxic activity of drug-containing serum against L02 cells. The liver L02 cells were treated with different drugs. The drug concentrations were IC₅₀ values of HepG2 cells, and the control group was treated with 20% normal saline serum. (c) Qinghao-Kushen inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were treated with IC₅₀ concentration in Figure 5(a) for 24 h. The control group was treated with 20% normal saline serum. Finally, all experiments were conducted at least three times. A representative result was given. (d) Qinghao-Kushen inhibited the migration capability of HuH-7 cells. HuH-7 cells were treated with different drugs. (e) Qinghao-Kushen inhibited the invasiveness capability of HuH-7 cells. HuH-7 cells were treated with different drugs. (f) The expression of activated caspase 3 was detected with western blot assay. HepG2 and HepG2215 cells were treated with different drugs, and each treatment factor was repeated three times. The β-tubulin blot served as the loading control. (g) The expression of GSK-3β was detected with western blot assay. HepG2 and HepG2215 cells were treated with different drugs, and each treatment factor was repeated three times. The GAPDH blot served as the loading control. NS, saline medicated serum; QH, Qinghao medicated serum; KS, Kushen medicated serum; QK, Qinghao-Kushen medicated serum; DDP, 5.0 μM cisplatin treatment. , , .