Figure 5.

Western blot results. Western blot results showing the phosphorylation changes in the p38-AKT signaling pathway. The phosphorylation level of p38 was elevated in the high glucose condition but was inhibited by safranal. However, there was no change in the phosphorylation level of ERK. Under a high glucose condition, the protein expression of factors related to cell migration and adhesion, including N-cadherin, Snail, Twist, and fibronectin were upregulated in a high glucose condition and could be inhibited by safranal. E-cadherin, on the other hand, demonstrated an opposite expression trend.