Bufalin synergizes with sorafenib to induce apoptosis in HCC cells.

Abstract

<p>HepG2 and Huh7 cells were incubated with 100 nM bufalin and/or 5 μM sorafenib for 48 h. (A) The cells were stained with Annexin V/PI and subjected to flow cytometry to measure the apoptosis rate (%). (B) Representative images were taken of Huh7 cells stained with Annexin V/PI and viewed with a laser-scanning confocal microscope. (C) The activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were measured. The data represent three independent experiments. Untreated cells served as controls. “*” (P<0.05) and “**” (P<0.001) vs. untreated control; “‡” (P<0.001) vs. sorafenib alone; “#” (P<0.05) and “##” (P<0.001) vs. bufalin alone.</p