Fig. 4. Effects of LJE and leonurine on muscle protein synthesis in L6 myotubes.

L6 myotubes were treated with TNF-α (50 ng/ml), LJE (40 and 80 μg/ml), and leonurine (20 and 40 μM). Relative protein levels of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, and Akt (A, B) were measured using western blot, with α-tubulin as the housekeeping gene. Relative protein levels of p-mTOR, mTOR, p-p70S6K, p70S6K, p-4E-BP1, and 4E-BP1 (C, D) were evaluated using western blot, with α-tubulin as the housekeeping gene. Group differences were assessed by Duncan’s multiple range test, #p < 0.05 and ##p < 0.01 (negative control group vs. TNF-α-treated group), *p < 0.05, and **p < 0.01 (TNF-α-treated group vs. LJE- and leonurine-treated groups).