Fig. 3

shows that SFN additively enhances PTX-induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells. A Western blot and densitometric analysis of caspase-3 protein bands revealed significantly higher band intensities of cleaved caspase-3 in PTX + SFN-treated cells compared to PTX or SFN alone. This was accompanied by a reduction in pro-caspase-3 bands. B Fluorescent micrographs of DAPI-stained nuclei showed nuclear fragmentation and micronuclei formation in cells treated with PTX, SFN, or PTX + SFN. The data were obtained from five independent experiments and are presented as box-and-whisker plots for pro-caspase-3 and activecaspase-3 band intensities. Student’s t-test was used to determine the significant difference between PTX or SFN individual treatments and PTX + SFN combined treatments. The data suggest that SFN enhances the apoptotic effect of  PTX in PC-3 cells. (***p ≤ 0.001)