Fig. 10.

Schematic illustration of the mechanism by which osthole protects against TMX-induced hepatotoxicity. By activating p38, TMX increases the expression of pro-oxidant genes and reduces the expression of antioxidant genes, leading to ROS accumulation. Oxidative stress increases inflammatory cytokine production, activates enzymes responsible for TMX activation, and suppresses enzymes responsible for its detoxification, all of which lead to liver injury. An osthole pretreatment suppresses TMX-induced p38 activation and inhibits ROS accumulation, thereby reducing TMX-induced liver injury