Changes in IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA and protein levels in SGCs after different administrations in vitro (vehicle, SP, SP+L703, 606, SP+U0126, SP+SB203580 and SP+SP600125) for 24 h (a, b) and in TGs after different treatments in vivo (vehicle, CFA, CFA+DMSO, CFA+L703, 606, CFA+U0126, CFA+SB203580 and CFA+SP600125 at 24 h (c, d). Up/downregulation compared with vehicle and SP treatments in vitro and with the vehicle and CFA groups in vivo. According to the RT-qPCR and ELISA results (a), there was a strong and significant upregulation of IL-1β mRNA in SGCs compared to the vehicle treatment. Conversely, suppression of the SP-induced increase in IL-1β by L703.606, U0126, and SB203580 was significant. (n = 6, *P < 0.05 compared with the vehicle group. #P < 0.05 compared with SP group). (b) In addition, there was a strong and significant upregulation of TNF-α mRNA in SGCs compared to the vehicle. Suppression of the SP-induced increase in TNF-α by L703.606, U0126 and SB203580 was significant. The ELISA results showed that the inhibitory effect of SB203580 was not significant. (n = 6, *P < 0.05 compared with the vehicle group, #P < 0.05 compared with SP group). c Representative WB images and graphs illustrate that the production of IL-1β and TNF-α in rat TGs was significantly increased under CFA injection compared to the vehicle. Pre-injection of L703, 606 into TGs significantly reduced the upregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α induced by CFA. (n = 6, *P < 0.05 compared with the vehicle group, #P < 0.05 compared with CFA group). Pre-injection of U0126 and SB203580 into TGs also significantly reduced the upregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α induced by CFA. (n = 6, *P < 0.05 compared with the CFA group)