Sal B attenuates CHC-induced RAW264.7 macrophage apoptosis partially via improving autophagic dysfunction. The following groups are presented: CONT, untreated control; CHC, 800 µg/ml CHC; CHC + Sal B, 800 µg/ml CHC + 200 µM Sal B; and CHC + Sal B + 3-MA, 800 µg/ml CHC + 200 µM Sal B + 5 mM 3-MA. Western blotting was performed to assess the expression of (A) autophagy- and (B) apoptosis-related proteins in CHC-induced RAW264.7 macrophages co-treated with Sal B and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA (n=3). (C) Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was performed to determine the effect of Sal B and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA on CHC-induced RAW264.7 macrophage apoptosis (n=3). #P<0.05 vs. untreated control; *P<0.05 vs. CHC; ΔP<0.05 vs. CHC + Sal B. Sal B, salvianolic acid B; CHC, cholesterol crystal; 3-MA, 3-methyladenine.