Sal inhibits HCC cell proliferation <i>in vitro</i>.

<p>A. Growth curve of HCC cells. HepG2, SMMC-7721, and BEL-7402 cells were treated with Sal (0, 2.5, 5, 10 µM) for five days. The growth of Sal-treated cells was relatively slower than that of DMSO-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. B. Sal inhibits HCC cell proliferation. HepG2, SMMC-7721, and BEL-7402 cells (5×10⁴ cells/ml) were treated with Sal (0–25 µM) at various time points (24, 36, and 48 h). Cell viability was determined using a CCK8 assay. The data show that Sal exposure reduced HepG2, SMMC-7721, and BEL-7402 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. C. Sal down-regulates the mRNA expression (*<i>p</i><0.005) and protein expression of PCNA in HepG2, SMMC-7721, and BEL-7402 cells.