Fig. 6.

Arctiin protected against OA via activation of NRF2-mediated antioxidant property. A The transcript levels of antioxidant enzymes including Sod1, Sod2, Cat, Gpx1, and Nrf2 were quantified with real-time RT-PCR (n = 4). B The protein levels of SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GPX1, and NRF2 were determined using Western blot assays (n = 3). C Representative images of the immunofluorescence staining of NRF2 or MitoROS. D, E Quantification of NRF2 activity or Mitochondrial ROS accumulation (n = 3). F, G The protein levels of antioxidant markers and ECM anabolic markers were determined using Western blot assays (n = 3). Values represent mean ± SD. Statistically, significant differences are indicated by ^# where p < 0.05, ^## where p < 0.01 compared with the IL-1β group or * where p < 0.05, ** where p < 0.01 between the indicated groups