Fig. 1

Genistein inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of HT-29 cells. a Genistein inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition ratio of proliferation could be up to 46 ± 1.2% at the concentration of 200 μmol/L for 48 h (n = 6). b Morphological evidence of apoptosis in HT-29 cells after 48 h of 200 μmol/L GEN treatment by DAPI and AO/EB staining. The stained nuclei were observed under a laser confocal fluorescence microscope, bar = 50 μm (×400). And the percentage of apoptotic cells per field were calculated in 3 different fields and represented by graphs (*p < 0.05, vs control). c Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate of HT-29 cells by flow cytometry after treatment with genistein (200 μmol/L) and daidzein (200 μmol/L) respectively for 48 h. (*p < 0.05, n = 3, vs control)