Fig. 4

Effect of curcumin on the expressions of α-SMA in peritoneum of experimental PF model. Peritoneal expression of α-SMA (myofibroblasts) was determined by immunohistochemistry, and presented as α-SMA staining area (%). a No α-SMA expression is found in the peritoneum of the control group. b After induction of PF, high α-SMA expression is detected. Curcumin showed markedly reduced expression of α-SMA at 10 mg/kg (c), 20 mg/kg (d) and 40 mg/kg (e) compared with the PF group. f The α-SMA expression in the peritoneum presented as α-SMA staining area (%) in each group. g qRT PCR showed the mRNA expression in the peritoneum of each group. ANOVA was performed and followed with Tukey’s post hoc test. ***P < 0.001 vs. control group; ##P < 0.01, ###P < 0.001 vs. PF group