Fig. 3

Inhibitory effects of DS, SQ and DS-SQ 6:4 on elevated levels of caspase-3 total protein expression in EA.hy926 cells under cellular damage induced by Hcy-Ado-TNF. a. The protein expression levels of caspase-3 were estimated by quantitative caspase colorimetric assay (R&D system, Australia). Results were shown as absorbance by microplate reader, with the means ± SEM, n > 3. * P < 0.05 vs. Hcy-Ado-TNF group. Absorbance (410 nm) versus concentrations (50–300 μg/mL) graph for DS, SQ and DS-SQ 6:4 in inhibiting increased caspase-3 protein expressions. ‘H + A + T’ represents Hcy-Ado-TNF stimulation only. Data shown are means ± SEM, n > 3. * P < 0.05 vs H + A + T group; *** P < 0.001 vs H + A + T group. b. Concentration-effect curves of caspase-3 inhibitory activities of DS, SQ and DS-SQ 6:4 generated by CompuSyn software. c. CI values were plotted as a function of suppression of caspase-3 proteins level (Fa) by CompuSyn software. The dotted line is the reference line, where CI value equals 1; solid line represents CI values at different Fa. Fa values correspond to % caspase-3 inhibitory effect relative to control