Protective Effects of Cannabidiol on Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis via the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE Signaling Pathways

Figure 6

CBD activates Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathways. (a) Representative IHC staining images of Nrf2 and Keap1 expression in mouse tongue tissues and quantification of positively stained epithelial cells. Positively stained cells are indicated by arrows. Scale bar, 50 μm. (b) Western blotting analysis of nuclear Nrf2, cytoplasmic Nrf2, total Nrf2, and Keap1 protein levels in HOK cells. β-Actin was used as the internal control. (c) Grayscale analysis of the blots. (d) mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 and Keap1 after CBD treatment. (e) Detection of Nrf2 (red) expression and DAPI (blue) in HOKs treated with 5-FU and CBD (5 μM) by IF microscopy. Positive Nrf2 staining for nuclear translocation is indicated by arrows. Scale bar, 50 μm. (f) Semiquantification of the Nrf2-positive nuclei. Data are expressed as the . ^#vs. vehicle; vs. 5-FU alone group.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)