Figure 2. Induction of nuclear condensation of human cancer cells by the acetone extract of F. cucullata and its main component, usnic acid in lethal concentrations.

(A) Hoechst 33258 staining of AGS (human gastric cancer cell line) cells treated with the F. cucullata extract or its subcomponents, usnic acid and lichesterinic acid. Arrows indicate cells showing condensed or fragmented nuclear morphology. Representative images are shown from three independent experiments. (B) Quantificational analysis of condensed or fragmented nuclear morphology in various cells treated with F. cucullata extract or its subcomponents. Data represent mean ± S.E.M. (standard error of the mean), n = 3. **p<0.01; ***p<0.001; NS, no significant difference compared to the dimethylsulfoxide-treated group.