Figure 3.

Effect of broccoli extracts on the accumulation of lipid droplets under supra-physiological concentrations of fatty acids (FA) in human HepG2 cells. Lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells treated with Brassica extracts (leaves—E1, stalks—E2, and inflorescences—E3) for (A) 24 h or (B) 48 h. Free fatty acids (250 uM; 24 h or 48 h) were used as a positive control. The effect of increasing concentrations of free fatty acids on lipid accumulation in the absence/presence of BBP extracts (E1, E2, and E3). BBP extracts were (C) co-incubated or (D) pre-incubated with increasing concentrations of FFAs and neutral lipid accumulation was measured through variations in Nile red fluorescence. Data are the mean ± SEM of four different assays performed, and the results were normalized on the control condition (CTL = 100%). The data obtained with BBP extracts were compared to CTL using a one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple comparison post-test. Significant differences between the indicated conditions are marked by * (p < 0.05), ** (p < 0.01), *** (p < 0.0005), **** (p < 0.0001).