Fig. 6From: Novel cycloartane triterpenoid from Cimicifuga foetida (Sheng ma) induces mitochondrial apoptosis via inhibiting Raf/MEK/ERK pathway and Akt phosphorylation in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cellsEffect of ADHC-AXpn on mitochondrial function and Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in MCF-7 cells. a Flow cytometry shows mitochondrial membrane depolarization induced by treatment with indicated concentrations of ADHC-AXpn for 24 h; detached cells were stained with JC-1; generic mitochondrial membrane depolarizer CCCP (20 μM), used as positive control, showed an expected decrease in red fluorescence. b Western blot shows caspase activation and changes in expression levels of Bcl-2 family proteins and Akt proteins in MCF-7 cells after treatment with ADHC-AXpn, using specific antibodies against caspase-9, cleaved caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax, Akt and p-Akt (Thr308 and Ser473), respectively. c Western blot shows inhibition of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway related proteins in MCF-7 cells after treatment with ADHC-AXpn, using the indicated antibodies; loading control: β-actinBack to article page