Combined Treatment of Cinobufotalin and Gefitinib Exhibits Potent Efficacy against Lung Cancer

Figure 2

Combination of cinobufotalin and gefitinib induces A549 cells apoptosis. (a) A549 cells were treated with gefitinib 40 μmol/L and cinobufotalin 0.5 mg/mL for 48 h either alone or in combination. Apoptotic rate of A549 cells was evaluated by annexin-V/PI staining and flow cytometry. (b) The percentage of apoptotic cells in the treatment groups was quantified. (c) TUNEL staining of A549 cells. A549 cells were treated with gefitinib 40 μmol/L and cinobufotalin 0.5 mg/mL either alone or in combination and subsequently stained with TUNEL (magnification ×200). Green, apoptotic cells; blue, nucleus. (d) Western blot analysis of cell apoptosis-related proteins in A549 cells treated with gefitinib, cinobufotalin, or cinobufotalin + gefitinib. , , , and vs. the control group; ^#### vs. the gefitinib group.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)