Research Article

Icariin Prevents IL-1β-Induced Apoptosis in Human Nucleus Pulposus via the PI3K/AKT Pathway

Figure 4

Given 20 μg/mL of IL-1β for 48 h, human NP cells exhibited a decline in MMP. The group pretreated with icariin exhibited a stable mitochondrial membrane potential. When the PI3K/AKT pathway was blocked, this protective effect was weakened. There were significant statistical differences between groups, as labeled in the figure ( versus control group, versus IL-1β group, and versus IL-1β + icariin group).