Fig. 2.

The chalcone derivative 4-MC inhibits Nrf2/ARE transcriptional activity in A549 cells. (A) Structure of chalcone derivatives, 4-methoxychalcone (4-MC), hesperidin methylchalcone (HMC), neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NH-DHC). (B) A549 and HEK293 cells were treated with 5 μg/ml of each chalcone derivative (4-MC, HMC and NH-DHC). After 6 h, ARE-dependent transcriptional activity was measured by reporter gene assay. Data (means ± S.E.M.) are expressed as the fold induction relative to untreated cells (at time zero); ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01 and *P < 0.05.