Fig. 5

ETME induces ROS by regulating intracellular antioxidants with suppression of MAPK pathways. ETME stimulates ROS generation in A549 and MCF-7 cells, not in normal WI-38 cells. a Intracellular ROS levels were examined under FACS using the DCFH-DA staining method and presented graphically; b Intracellular ROS was also visualised under the confocal microscope with 400× magnification; ETME regulate levels of major antioxidants such as c SOD, d catalase, f GST, e GSH and g TBARS in A549 and MCF-7 cells compared to normal WI-38 cells. All data is expressed as mean ± SD (n = 6). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001 vs. 0 µg/ml; h Western blot analysis of MAPKs and p53 of A549 and MCF-7 cells treated with 200 and 150 µg/ml of ETME respectively. Expression of β-actin was set as a protein loading control