Figure 2.

Treatment with itraconazole inhibits the proliferation of colon cancer cells and induces apoptosis, autophagy and cell cycle arrest. (A) COLO 205 and HCT 116 cells were treated with different concentrations of itraconazole for 24 h, and cell viability was assessed via the MTT assay. (B) COLO 205 and HCT 116 cells were treated with itraconazole in a dose-dependent manner for 24 h, and the expression levels of Cleaved caspase-3, Bax and β-actin were detected via western blotting. Protein expression was quantified using ImageJ software (Version 1.50i; National Institutes of Health). (C) COLO 205 and HCT 116 cells were respectively treated with 50 and 60 µM itraconazole in a time-dependent manner for 24 h, and the expression levels of TKT and β-actin were detected via western blotting. Protein expression was quantified using ImageJ software (Version 1.50i; National Institutes of Health). COLO 205 and HCT 116 cells were treated with 50 and 60 µM itraconazole for 24 h, and (D) Annexin V/PI staining and (E) cell cycle distribution were detected via flow cytometry. *P<0.05 vs. control or vehicle control group. TKT, transketolase.