Cucurbita ficifolia Fruit Extract Induces Tp53/Caspase-Mediated Apoptosis in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Figure 4

Phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy of MCF-7 cells treated with C. ficifolia chloroform extract after 24 hs (a–d) and 48 hs (e–h). Cell morphology is intact in untreated controls (a, c). Distortion of cell morphology and increased number of dead cells are evident from phase contrast microscopy (arrows in b and d). Early and late apoptotic cells are visible through AO/EB fluorescent staining (e–h). Nuclear fragmentation and ballooning can be observed, and the fragmentation of the nuclei and micronucleus is visible (arrows in f and h). Observation at 400x magnification.