Figure 6. LXR and ER activity in HepG2 cells treated with WBM extract.

(A) HepG2 cells were transfected with the pCMX-VP16-hLXRa and LXR-responsive rCYP7A-DR-4x3-tk-LUC, and following were incubated with vehicle control (ethanol), T0901317 (10 µM) and/or WBM extract (1, 2 and 5 µl/ml) and assayed for luciferase activity. (B) For evaluation of WBM effects on ER activity, HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with the pSG5-ER and pGL₃(ERE)₃-Luc. 24 hours posttransfection, cells were treated with E2 (0.1 nM) or with WBM extract (5 and 10 µl/ml) for 24 hours. Data is expressed as relative luciferase unit/protein content. Values are expressed as mean and standard error. For LXR activity, we analyzed the data for each dose separately by ANOVA, followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test. * P<0.05 compared indicated treatment, a; P<0.05 compared to T0901314 treatment. For ER activity, we analyzed the data for each treatment by ANOVA, followed by comparison of all treatment groups with the control group (Dunnett's test). Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05.