8-bromo-7-methoxychrysin inhibits properties of liver cancer stem cells via downregulation of β-catenin

Figure 5 β-catenin siRNA synergized the inhibitory effects of 8-bromo-7-methoxychrysin. 8-bromo-7-methoxychrysin (BrMC) downregulated CD44 and CD133 expression in liver cancer stem cells in a concentration-dependent manner (A). β-catenin was highly expressed in CD133⁺ sphere forming cells (SFCs) and was downregulated by BrMC treatment (B). β-catenin siRNA decreased the protein level of β-catenin (C) and stem cell markers (E), and significantly inhibited self-renewal capacity (D) of CD133⁺ SFCs (mean ± SD, n = 3). ^aP < 0.05 vs CD133⁺ SFCs or control siRNA transfected CD133⁺ SFCs. BrMC enhanced β-catenin siRNA induced downregulation of β-catenin expression (F) and inhibition of self-renewal capacity (G) in CD133⁺ SFCs (mean ± SD, n = 3). ^aP < 0.05 vs CD133⁺ SFCs derived from the MHCC97 cell line. ^cP < 0.05 vs 0.1 μmol/L BrMC or β-catenin siRNA treated CD133⁺ SFCs.