Research Article

Dandelion Root and Lemongrass Extracts Induce Apoptosis, Enhance Chemotherapeutic Efficacy, and Reduce Tumour Xenograft Growth In Vivo in Prostate Cancer

Figure 5

Dandelion root extract apoptosis induction is caspase dependent and lemongrass extract apoptotic induction is oxidative stress dependent. DU-145 cells were pretreated with either N-acetylcysteine (NAC, reactive oxygen species scavenger) or Z-VAD-FMK (caspase inhibitor), treated with various dosages of DRE, LGE, and DRE or LGE combination treatments with taxol, and assessed at 48 and 96 hours. Results were obtained using image-based cytometry to assess the percentage of cells positive with fluorescence associated with Annexin V (green), propidium iodide (PI, red), both (yellow), or negative for both Annexin V and PI (blue). Values are expressed as a mean ± SD from three independent experiments. Statistical calculations were performed using Two-Way ANOVA multiple comparison. p < 0.05 vs. control, p < 0.01 vs. control, p < 0.0001 vs. control, #p<0.05 vs. individual DRE treatment, @p<0.05 vs. individual LGE treatment.