Figure 3. Copper pyrithione (CuPT), the chelating product of PT and CuCl2 induced cytotoxicity in multiple cancer cells.

(a and b) CuPT decreased cell viability and induced cell death in MCF-7 cells. MCF-7 cells were treated with CuPT for 24 hours, and then cell viability and cell death were detected as described above. IC₅₀ was calculated and shown in (a) and representative PI-positive morphological images were shown in (b). Scale bar = 50 μm. (c and d) CuPT decreased cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in U266 cells. U266 cells were treated with CuPT for 24 hours, and then cell viability and cell apoptosis were detected. IC₅₀ was calculated and shown in (c), and representative cell apoptosis flow images were shown in (d). (e and f) CuPT decreased cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were treated with CuPT for 24 hours, and then cell viability and cell apoptosis were detected. IC₅₀ was calculated and shown in (e), and representative Annexin V/PI-positive and morphological images were shown in (f). Scale bar = 50 μm.