Figure 3.

Ginsenoside Rg1 decreased TGF-β1 production in serum and suppressed TGF-β1/Smad signaling expression in lung tissue of COPD rats. (a) TGF-β1 expression in the serum was determined by ELISA. (b) The mRNA level of TGF-β1 in lung tissue was determined by real-time PCR. (c) Protein levels of TGF-β1, TGF-βR1, p-Smad2, total Smad2, p-Smad3, and total Smad3 were determined by Western blot. Data were expressed as the mean ± SD; n = 6. Statistical significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. ^∗P < 0.05 and ^∗∗P < 0.01 versus normal group; ^#P < 0.05 and ^##P < 0.01 versus COPD group.