PD inhibits HCC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo
(A) Cell viability measurement of HepG2, Hep3B, and LO2 cells treated with PD at increasing concentrations (up to 6 μM) for 12, 24, and 48 h by WST-1 assays. (B) The cell death of HepG2 and Hep3B cells stimulated with PD (0–6 μM, 24 h) was detected by PI staining, and the PI-positive cells were quantified. (C) Representative images of excised Hep3B tumors from mice with intragastric administration (i.g.) at 4 mg/kg or intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) at 2 mg/kg (n = 6). (D) Tumor growth curves; data are represented as mean ± SEM. (E) IHC staining for Ki-67. (F) An overview of the establishment of HCC MiniPDX model. (G) Scatterplot showing the relative proliferation rate of the HCC MiniPDX model upon treatment with PD (i.g. 4 mg/kg). n = 6; data are represented as mean ± SD; ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001.