Fig. 4

Zoledronic acid induces the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells derived CSCs. DAPI staining of HeLa cells derived CSCs after being treated or not with zoledronic acid (10, 20, and 30 μM, respectively). Typical apoptotic bodies in HeLa cells derived CSCs are shown with red arrows (a). The histograms show the proportions of DAPI-stained apoptotic cervical cancer cells derived CSCs (b). Flow cytometry of apoptotic HeLa cells derived CSCs after being treated or not with 10, 20, and 30 μM zoledronic acid; the histogram shows the proportions of apoptotic HeLa cells derived CSCs (c-d). Western blot analysis of Bcl-2, Bax, and Cleaved caspase-3 in cervical cancer cells derived CSCs treated or not with zoledronic acid (10, 20, and 30 μM) (e). Scale bars represent 50 μM in inset. Control vs. 10, 20, and 30 μM of zoledronic acid: * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001. Results are shown as mean values ± SD of independent experiments performed in triplicate