Kangfuxin solution alleviates esophageal stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection: A natural ingredient strategy

Figure 3 Kangfuxin solution inhibited the excessive deposition of fibrous components in artificial esophageal ulcers. A: Representative images of immunohistochemical staining to detect Α-smooth muscle actin-2 (ACTA2), fibronectin (FN), and collagen I in the artificial ulcer of esophageal tissue, magnification 200 × (n = 4); B-D: Quantitation of the staining intensity of ACTA2, FN, and collagen I in (A) (n = 4); Kangfuxin solution (KFX) treatment reduced the distribution of ACTA2-positive myofibroblasts and suppressed the expression of extracellular matrix components FN and collagen I; E: The protein levels of ACTA2, FN, and collagen I were determined by western blot; α-tubulin was used as the loading control (n = 4); F-H: Quantitation of relative expression of ACTA2, FN, and collagen I in (E), respectively (n = 4); I-K: The mRNA levels of ACTA2, FN, and collagen I were quantitated by RT-PCR (n = 4); administration of KFX significantly suppressed the protein and gene expression of ACTA2, FN, and collagen I. Data are presented as mean ± SE. ^aP < 0.001 vs the control group, ^bP < 0.01 vs the control group, ^eP < 0.01 vs the PDNN group, ^fP < 0.05 vs the PDNN group. KFX: Kangfuxin solution; PDNN: Prednisolone; ACTA2: Α-smooth muscle actin-2; FN: Fibronectin; IHC: Immunohistochemistry; WB: Western blotting.