Figure 6. Treatment of intact adult worms with Plumbagin induces apoptosis of developing embryos in vivo.

[A],[B],[C] Female adult worms were treated overnight with 10 µM of Plumbagin after which developing embryos were harvested, fixed with 1%para formaldehyde for 1 hr at 0°C, and stained for apoptosis – enhanced expression of CED-3[A]; cleavage of intra cellular caspase substrate PARP [B] and fragmentation of chromosomal DNA [C] were detected. In Dot Plots, percentage of population shifting right into the gate after Plumbagin treatment [in comparison to untreated controls] represents apoptotic embryonic stages. Data points in D, E and F represent mean ± SEM, with n = 3. **P<0.05 by Paired t-test versus untreated controls.