Naringenin prevents experimental liver fibrosis by blocking TGFβ-Smad3 and JNK-Smad3 pathways

Figure 11 Schematic representation of the antifibrotic effect of naringenin. Naringenin (N) may act at 7 levels to prevent liver fibrosis: (1) by maintaining basal TGF-β levels, thus, preventing hepatic stellate cells activation (HSC), (2) preserving normal metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity blocking TGF-β liberation from extracellular matrix (ECM), (3) increasing the inhibitory protein Smad7, (4) by blocking the activation of JNK, (5) preserving Smad3 levels within control values, (6) blocking the proinflammatory factor NF-κB, (7) by counteracting oxidative stress, preserving reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and lipid peroxidation (LPO) induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), within normal levels.