Figure 5. Clotrimazole regulates apoptotic protein levels in OSCC cells and tumor tissue.

(A) CAL27 and UM1 cells were treated with 40 µM clotrimazole or DMSO for 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h. The expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the pro-apoptotic protein Bax was assessed by western blot. (B) The apoptosis-related protein expressions in tumors from control mice and clotrimazole-treated mice (150 mg/kg) were also analyzed by western blot analysis. Clotrimazole treatment decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and increased the level of Bax in clotrimazole-treated tumors compared with control animals. Data shows the representative of three independent experiments. Quantification of bands was performed using Image J software and the relative ratio was calculated by the density.