Cryptotanshinone induces apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells via modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress

Figure 2 Cryptotanshinone induces apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells. A: TUNEL staining to assess LX2 apoptosis. Red fluorescence indicates apoptotic cells. Scale baes: 100μm; B: Western blot analysis of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in LX2 cells; C: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA levels in LX2 cells; D: Flow cytometric analysis of LX2 cell apoptosis using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. Cells located in the right two quadrants of each figure were considered apoptotic cells. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001 versus control.