Fig. 3

Fluorescent micrographs of AO/PI double stained of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with C. betacea at 80 µg/ml for 24, 48 and 72 h. a Untreated MDA-MB-231 cells showing the normal viable cells with circular nucleus uniformly distributed in the centre of the cell. b Blebbing or signs of membrane protrusions and fragmented of nuclei were evident after 24 h of treatment. Nucleus showed green fluorescence and concentrated into a granular that indicates chromatin condensation. c 48 h treated cells detected as rounding off, reduction in cell size, damaged membrane and appearance of apoptotic body. d Necrotic cells: 72 h treated cells showed late apoptosis events with formation of apoptotic body, unsymmetrical shape and size, uneven and disintegrated membrane surface. e MDA-MB-231 cell treated with 8 µg/ml of doxorubicin showed early apoptosis events with appearance of membrane blebbing and chromatin condensation. Scale bars (a–e): 200 μm (magnification: × 200).VC Viable cells, BL Blebbing of cell membrane, CC Chromatin condensation, FN Fragmented nuclei, EA Early apoptosis, LA Late apoptosis, AB Apoptotic bodies