Fig. 2.

Acteoside induced proteostatic modules and exerted in vivo anti-tumor activity in a melanoma (B16.F1) grafted mouse model, likely via the activation of (among others) anti-tumor-reactive immune responses. (A) Relative (%) mRNA expression levels (in tumors of control and acteoside-treated mice) of genes involved in different proteostatic and antioxidant responses modules, as well as in metabolic pathways; acteoside was administered either intraperitoneally (IP) or via drinking water (OR). (B) Relative (%) proteasome (B₁) and cathepsin B, L (B₂) enzymatic activities in excised tumors of control (Con) and IP or OR acteoside-treated mice. (C) Average tumor volume in control mice (Con, n = 5); in mice injected every other day with 1 mg acteoside (IP) (n = 5) and in mice receiving 2.5 mg acteoside via drinking water (OR; n = 5). (D) Flow cytometry analysis of CD107 expression on splenocytes isolated from control and acteoside-treated mice. Splenocytes were used as effectors vs. the syngeneic B16.F1, YAC-1 and WEHI-164 target cells. Cells expressing CD107 are gated and the relative percentage is shown in each dot plot; representative dot plots per group with similar results are shown. Bars, ± SD; *P < 0.05; * *P < 0.01.