2.3. Cell Viability Assay

Cell viability was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion assay. Briefly, 50 μL of 0.4% trypan blue solution was added to 50 μL of cell suspension in a culture medium. The suspension was gently mixed and placed in a hemacytometer for cell counting. Viable and dead cells were identified and counted under a light microscope. Blue cells failing to exclude dyes were considered nonviable and transparent cells were considered viable. The percentage of viable cells was calculated according to the total number of cells (viable plus nonviable)