Figure 6.

Antitumor effect of icaritin was affected by the levels of STAT3 activity in OSCC cells. (A) CAL27 cells were transfected with STAT3 and non-specific siRNA, and the successful transfection was confirmed by western blotting. STAT3 knockdown affected the expression of proliferation and apoptotic proteins; (B,C) STAT3 silencing enhanced the effects of icaritin on CAL27 cell growth inhibition and apoptosis promotion. CAL27 cells were transfected with either non-specific siRNA or STAT3 siRNA, and then treated with icaritin at the indicated doses for 48 h. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected. Data were expressed as mean ± SD (n = 3, in triplicate). * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; and *** p < 0.001 versus 0 μM group.