Figure 14

(a) Chelidonine potently induces apoptosis in Jurkat Vector cells. Jurkat Vector cells were treated for 24 h with medium supplemented with solvent or 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 μM chelidonine. Apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometric analysis using light scatter characteristics (white bars), measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential Δψm (grey bars) and the activation of caspases (black bars) (left panel). Data show means ± SD (n ≥ 3). Fluorescence microscopy of Hoechst33342 stained cells treated for 24 h with 5 μM chelidonine revealed massive chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation (right panel). (b) Protopine induces apoptosis in Jurkat Vector cells at increased drug concentrations. Jurkat Vector cells were treated for 24 h with medium or 50, 100, 150 and 250 μM protopine. Protopine-induced apoptosis was then quantified by flow cytometric analysis using light scatter characteristics (white bars), measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential Δψm (grey bars) and caspase- activation (black bars) (left panel). Data show means ± SD (n ≥ 3). Fluorescence microscopy upon combined staining with Hoechst33342 and propidium iodide treated for 24 h with 500 μM protopine showed increased levels of cells undergoing apoptosis (right panel).