Melittin induces human gastric cancer cell apoptosis via activation of mitochondrial pathway

Figure 2 Melittin alters the mitochondrial membrane potential levels and caspase-3 expression of SGC-7901 cells. A: Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (Δψm) levels of SGC-7901 cells after incubation with 4 μg/mL melittin for various times. [a: SGC-7901 cells control group; b: SGC-7901 cells incubated with 4 μg/mL melittin for 1 h; c: SGC-7901 cells incubated with 4 μg/mL melittin for 2 h; d: SGC-7901 cells incubated with 4 μg/mL melittin for 4 h (^aP < 0.05 vs the control group); B: The effect of melittin on the release of caspase-3. L-O2 normal cells incubated with 4 μg/mL melittin for 4 h; SGC-7901 control cell; SGC-7901 cells incubated with 4 μg/mL melittin for 4 h, 2 h, and 1 h; (^cP < 0.05 vs the control group); C: The release of caspase-3 in SGC-7901 cells after the addition of a caspase-3 blocker. SGC-7901 control group; SGC-7901 cells incubated with 4 μg/mL melittin for 4 h; SGC-7901 cells with caspase 3 blocker; SGC-7901 cells incubated with 4 μg/mL melittin for 4 h added with caspase-3 blocker; (^eP < 0.05 vs the control group).