Ginsenoside Rg3 inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma growth via intrinsic apoptotic pathway

Figure 6 Flow cytometry after caspase-3-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium Iodide staining. After being treated by ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) 100 μg/mL or saline for 24 h, Hep1-6 and HepG2 cells were stained by caspase-3-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and propidium Iodide (PI). Viable cells are shown as blue and early apoptotic cells are green (caspase-3-FITC). The non-viable necrotic cells are red (PI). Rg3 treated groups had a significantly higher percentage of caspase-3 positive cells: Hep1-6 (85% ± 9% vs 9% ± 3%) and HepG2 (71% ± 8% vs 11% ± 2%). There are no statistical difference in PI staining between Rg3 treated group and control group: Hep1-6 (23% ± 3% vs 19% ± 2%) and HepG2 (25% ± 4% vs 21% ± 3%). Rg3: Ginsenoside Rg3. ^aP < 0.05 vs control group.