18β-glycyrrhetinic acid promotes gastric cancer cell autophagy and inhibits proliferation by regulating miR-328-3p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

Figure 5 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid regulates miR-328-3p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway and promotes the synthesis of autophagosomes in gastric cancer cells. A and B: Effect of miR-328-3p on the expression level of light chain 3 II (LC3 II) in AGS cells; C and D: Effects of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GRA) on LC3 II expression in AGS cells; E and F: Monomeric red fluorescent protein-green fluorescent protein-LC3 tandem fluorescent protein adenovirus-infected AGS cells, and effects of different multiplicity of infection on cell status and infection efficiency; G and H: Effects of laser confocal imaging of 18β-GRA combined with bafilomycin A₁ (Baf A₁) on autophagy flow; I: Effect of 18β-GRA on the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in AGS cells; J and K: Effects of 18β-GRA on the expression of STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 in AGS cells. All analyses were repeated three times. The data are represented as the mean ± standard deviation. ^aP < 0.05; ^bP < 0.01; ^cP < 0.001. NC: Negative control; Vector: The blank vector for lentivirus transfection.