Cryptotanshinone induces apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells via modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress

Figure 1 Cryptotanshinone reduces collagen deposition and induces cell cycle arrest at the G2/M checkpoint. A: Chemical structure of cryptotanshinone; B: CCK8 assay for LX2 cell viability; C: CCK8 assay for cell viability of LO2; D: Protein levels of collagen I and α-SMA were determined using Western blot analysis; E: mRNA levels of α-SMA and collagen I were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); F: The percentage of cell cycle distribution was determined using flow cytometry. Data are presented as mean ± SD. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 versus control.