Figure 2.

Cytotoxic effect of active constituents of DuK on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Hep3b, Huh7 and HepG2) and normal liver cells (primary hepatocytes). (a) Results of cell viability assay when cells were exposed to different concentrations of Z-guggulsterone, dehydrocostus lactone and crocin for 24 h. After exposure, IC₅₀ values for each treatment were determined based on the spectrometry of formazan formation, and the mean log IC₅₀ value was plotted. The y-axis represents the log IC₅₀ (in μM) and the x-axis represents the cell lines used. We observed from the comparison that Z-guggulsterone is safer than dehydrocostus lactone for parental liver cells. (b) Dose–response curves and IC₅₀ value for Z-guggulsterone in Huh7 cells. They y-axis represents the percentage of normalized absorbance and the x-axis represents the log concentrations of Z-guggulsterone. (c) Dose–response curves and IC₅₀ value for regorafenib in Huh7 cells.