Cucurbitacin E Has Neuroprotective Properties and Autophagic Modulating Activities on Dopaminergic Neurons

Figure 8

(a) Immunofluorescence detection of LC3b in neuronal PC12 cells. Punctate structures stained for LC3b represent specific autophagic vacuoles. Scale bar = 50 μm. (b) Histogram. CuE treatment did not increase the total number of LC3b-positive autophagosomes but rather slightly decreased their presence. Bafilomycin (Baf), an inducer of autophagy, was used as a positive control. CuE treatment before Baf (Baf + CuE) administration clearly reduced the Baf-induced formation of LC3b-positive autophagosomes. Data are expressed as percentage of cellular surface occupied by LC3b vacuoles (area fraction) and are means ± S.E.M. . and versus Ctrl. versus Baf.

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