Figure 5. AMPK activation is required for Kaempferol-induced autophagy and cytotoxicity in HCC cells.

HepG2 cells were cultured in Kaempferol (50 μM)-containing medium for the indicated time. Expressions of listed proteins were shown (A and B). Stable HepG2 cells, expressing AMPKα1 shRNA (“sh-AMPKα1”) or the dominant negative AMPKα1 (T172A, Flag-tagged, “dn-AMPKα1”), were cultured in Kaempferol (50 μM)-containing medium for the indicated time. Expressions of listed proteins were shown (C and D). LC3 Puncta formation (E), cell viability (CCK-8 assay, F) and cell death (Trypan blue staining assay, G) were also tested. For each assay, n=5. “sh-Ctrl” stands for scramble control shRNA. * p < 0.05 vs. “sh-Ctrl” group. Experiments in this figure were repeated three times, and similar results were obtained.