HFCP induces apoptosis in HepG2 and A549 cells.

<p>HepG2 and A549 cells were incubated with medium alone (Ctl-), 50 μM etoposide (Etop), 3 mg/ml heat-fragmented citrus pectin (HFCP) or 3 mg/ml citrus pectin (Pectin) for 24 and 48 h. <b>(A) and (B)</b> Detection of activated caspase-3 and cleaved PARP in HepG2 (A) and A549 cells (B) by western blot analysis. Immunodetection of α-tubulin was used as the loading control. The results are representative of three independent experiments. <b>(C) and (D)</b> Caspase-3 activity was assayed using a specific fluorogenic substrate after 6, 24 and 48 h of incubation in HepG2 cells (C) and A549 cells (D). <b>(E) and (F)</b> DNA fragmentation was assayed using an ELISA detection kit after 6, 24 and 48 h of incubation in HepG2 cells (E) and in A549 cells (F). Data are the means of triplicates +/−SD (n = 3). Data are the means of triplicates +/−SD (n = 3). The statistical analyses performed were the Hartley test and ANOVAII test. P values in comparison to the corresponding control are *: P ≤ 0.05; **: P ≤ 0.01; ***: P ≤ 0.001.