Fig. 2. Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of (2)Ga/HSA NPs in prostate cancer cells.

a Size, particle concentration, corrole/protein ratios, and content parameters of (2)Ga/HSA NPs used in cytotoxicity assay. b Dose-response curves and IC₅₀ values for a 48 and 72 h exposure (a and b, respectively) of human tumor cell lines to (2)Ga/HSA NPs were evaluated by a crystal violet staining assay. Data represent the mean ± SEM of two independent experiments. c AnnexinV-FITC staining of DU-145 cells incubated for 4 h with (a) HSA control and (2)Ga/HSA NPs at the following concentrations (b) 2 µM, (c) 5 µM, (d) 10 µM, (e) 15 µM, and (f) 20 µM. d Plotting of the gated cells (within M1) that are positive to AnnexinV-FITC (i.e., apoptotic cells) vs. (2)Ga concentration and determination of the IC₅₀ value (IC₅₀= 6.85 µM); data points represent the means ± SEM (n= 3), *p< 0.001 vs. control untreated cells.