NCI-H460 cells exposed to the S. artemisiae MCCB248 extract exhibited a characteristic apoptotic morphology, such as shrinkage of cell nuclei, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation (Fig. 5a, b), which indicated that one or more components of this extract induced apoptosis. This was further in evidence using a TUNEL assay, which demonstrated condensed TUNEL positive chromatin within the cell nuclei (Fig. 5c, d) when treated with the S. artemisiae MCCB 248 extract. DNase I treated cells were used as a positive control.Fig. 5Fluorescent microscope image (20×) of Hoechst 33342 stained H-460 cells; a control cells, and b S. artemisiae MCCB 248 extract treated cells. Also shown are fluorescent microscope images (40×) of the TUNEL assay of c control cells, and d S. artemisiae MCCB 248 extract treated cells for 24 h