For the cytotoxicity assay we remove the supernatant, washed the cells, and then collect the adherent cells following trypsinization and visual inspection to verify all cells were removed. Indeed, as the reviewer mentioned correctly, we “counted the live cells and plotted the final data as percentage of untreated controls”. We agree that this is not cytotoxicity per se, and that is why we also perform 7-AAD/annexin-V staining of the cells. For this apoptosis assay we do collect the supernatant together with the adherent cells. Increased apoptosis and/or necrosis indicates that reduction in the cell number observed in the cell count emanates at least in part from cytotoxicity. We agree with the reviewer that we should not confuse the cell count measurements with the term “cytotoxicity” prior to showing the effect on apoptosis, and therefore we have changed this terminology throughout the paper.
It looks like a speculative discussion section with no clear point of view of the authors and general conclusions of their presented work.