Fig. 4

Effect of solution of pure cellobiose on HepG2 cell morphology, viability and activation of caspase-3. a Effect of solution with pure cellobiose on HepG2 cancer cells after 24 h of incubation in the concentration range 0.1–1000 mg/mL. Note apoptotic cells with different concentrations (see arrows). b FACS analysis of viability of HepG2 cells after being treated with the solution of pure cellobiose in the concentration range 0.001–10 mg /mL after 24 h. Effect on cells pretreated with z-VAD-fmk was measured as well. Grey bars are representing the percentage of apoptotic cells and black bars percentage of dead cells. Error bars denote mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05; ** p < 0.001; *** p < 0.0001. c Caspase activity in HepG2 cells after the cells were being treated with different concentrations of pure solution of cellobiose in the concentration range 0.001–1000 mg/mL after 24 h. Error bars denote mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05; ** p < 0.001; *** p < 0.0001