QUE activates autophagy via inhibition of the p38MAPK/mTOR signaling pathway. (a) Western blot analysis of the p38 MAPK/mTOR signaling pathway components, p-p38, p38, p-mTOR, and mTOR in TBHP-induced NPCs treated with QUE or the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. (b) Quantification of p-p38 and p-mTOR protein levels. (c) Western blot analysis of the autophagy-related proteins, Beclin-1, p62, and LC3 II/I in TBHP-induced NPCs treated with QUE or SB203580. (d) Quantification of Beclin-1, p62, and LC3 II/I protein levels. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation from three independent experiments. ∗P < 0.05; ∗∗P < 0.01; ∗∗∗P < 0.001.