miR-146a-5p enhances the promoting effect of Rh2 on cell apoptosis in vitro. Stable cells expressing miR-146a-5p, miR-146a-5p inhibitor or NC cells were treated with Rh2 or DMSO for 48 h. (A) Cell apoptotic rate was then analyzed by flow cytometry, and representative flow cytometry analysis graphs are presented. (B) Statistical analysis of early apoptotic cells. #P<0.05 vs. DMSO+NC; *P<0.05 vs. Rh2+NC. (C) MCL1 and Nrf2 protein expression was detected by western blotting. miR, microRNA; Rh2, ginsenoside Rh2; NC, negative control; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; MCL1, myeloid cell leukemia 1; Nrf2, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2; FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate; PI, propidium iodide.