Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of Notch-1, Hes1, VEGF and Ki-67 expression in vivo. A, B: Western blot revealed that Notch-1 and Hes1 were highly expressed in the control CD44+ group compared with the control CD44- group. Xiaotan Sanjie decoction inhibited the expression of Notch-1 and Hes1 in a dose-dependent manner, and significant differences could be detected in the medium- and high-dose groups (P < 0.05); C: The variation in Notch-1, Hes1, VEGF and Ki-67 expression in the experimental groups was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (one-way ANOVA, followed by the Bonferroni test). aP < 0.05 vs CD44+ group.