Fig. 1

Structurally diverse sesquiterpenoid dimers from Artemisia eriopoda exert antihepatoma effect by AKT/STAT signaling pathway. a The structures of compounds 1–36. b Schematic diagram of investigation on the target and mechanism analysis of artemeriopodin G7 (33). c Compound 33 regulated HepG2 cell migration and invasion examined by Transwell assay. d The quantification data for c. e HepG2 cells were treated with compound 33 (0.0, 10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 μM) for 12 h, and effect of compound 33 on the G2/M cell cycle transition was tested by PI staining and flow cytometry. f The quantification data for e. g Cell cycle related proteins CyclinB1, cdc2, and phosphorylated cdc2 were examined by Western blot. h HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations (0.0, 10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 μM) of compound 33 for 48 h, flow cytometric analysis, and cell apoptosis quantification of HepG2 cells. i The apoptosis-related protein levels were treated with 33 for 48 h by Western blot. j The expression of PDGFRA proteins was examined in HepG2 cells by Western blot. k CETSA analysis of binding between compound 33 and PDGFRA protein. Protein levels were investigated at different temperatures under the treatment of 33 (20.0 μM) in HepG2 cells. l Protein levels were investigated at different concentrations of 33 (58 °C). m Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) enthalpogram of the interaction between 33 and PDGFRA. The titration curve was depicted as a function of the molar ratio between PDGFRA and the calculated concentration of 33 in the assay. n Total and phosphorylated forms of AKT/STAT proteins were examined by immunoblot with indicating antibodies in HepG2 cells. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001, n = 3