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

Figure 2

The effects of SA-B on p38 MAPK pathway via Inhibition of ERK and Smad signaling. (a) P38 phosphorylation in LX-2 cells. The levels of phosphorylated p38 protein were determined by Western blot using anti-phospho-p38 antibodies. The levels of total p38 protein were determined by Western blot using anti-p38 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<0.01); ^■■■Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF (𝑛=3, 𝑃<0.001); ^▲▲▲Significant difference versus TGF (𝑛=3, 𝑃<0.001); ***Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF + PD (𝑛=3, 𝑃<0.001). (b) α-SMA level in LX-2. The levels of α-SMA protein were determined by Western blot using anti-α-SMA antibodies. Blotting with anti-GAPDH antibodies was conducted as a protein loading control. 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<0.01); ^▲▲Significant difference versus TGF (𝑛=3, 𝑃<0.01); ^⋄⋄⋄Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.001), ^▵▵▵Significant difference SM4 + TGF + PD and SM4 + TGF + SA-B (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.001); ***Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF + SA-B, TGF + SA-B + PD (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<0.01); *Significant difference versus SM4 + TGF + PD, SM4 + TGF + SA-B, and TGF + SA-B + PD (𝑛=3,𝑃<0.05).

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