Ginsenoside Rg1 Attenuates Cigarette Smoke-Induced Pulmonary Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via Inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad Pathway

Figure 4

Ginsenoside Rg1 protected HBE cells against CSE or TGF-β1-induced EMT. ((a) and (b)) Effects of CSE and ginsenoside Rg1 on the cell viability were measured using a CCK-8 assay. ((c), (d), (e), and (f)) Light microscopy of HBE cells (×100 magnification). ((g), (h), and (i)) HBE cells were induced with 10% CSE and treated with ginsenoside Rg1 (40 μM) for 48 h. Protein expressions of E-cad and α-SMA were determined by Western blot. ((j), (k), and (l)) HBE cells were induced with TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) and treated with ginsenoside Rg1 (40 μM) for 48 h. Protein expressions of E-cad and α-SMA were determined by Western blot. Data were expressed as the mean ± SD; . Statistical significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. and versus corresponding untreated controls; and versus corresponding ginsenoside Rg1 (−) group.

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