Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits ERK and p38 MAPK Signaling in TGF-𝜷1-Stimulated Human Hepatic Stellate Cell Line (LX-2) via Distinct Pathways

Figure 3

The effects of SA-B on ERK signaling via inhibition of p38 MAPK and Smad signaling. (a) MEK phosphorylation in LX-2 cells. The levels of phosphorylated MEK protein were determined by Western blot using anti-phospho-MEK antibodies. The levels of total MEK protein were determined by Western blot using anti-MEK antibodies. Quantification of the intensity of bands calibrated to the intensity of total protein bands (means ± SD). ^###Significant difference versus Control, Negative control, and SRV4 (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.001); **Significant difference versus TGF (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.01); ^▲▲▲Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF, SM4 + TGF + SB, and TGF + SA-B + SB (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.01). (b) α-SMA levels in LX-2. The levels of α-SMA protein were determined using anti-α-SMA antibodies. Blotting with anti-GAPDH antibodies was conducted as a protein loading control. ^##Significant difference versus Control, Negative control and SRV4 (𝑛=3, 𝑃<0.01); ^▲▲Significant difference versus TGF (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.01); ^⋄⋄Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.01); Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.001); ***Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF + SB, SM4 + TGF + SA-B, and TGF + SA-B + SB (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.001). (c) Col. I level in LX-2. The levels of Col. I protein were determined by Western blot using anti-Col. I antibodies. Blotting with anti-GAPDH antibodies was conducted as a protein loading control. ^##Significant difference versus Control, Negative control, and SRV4 (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.01); ^▲▲Significant difference versus TGF (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.01); ^◊Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.05); ^◊◊Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.01); **Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF + SB, SM4 + TGF + SA-B, and TGF + SA-B + SB (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.01).

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