TGFB1 and Hepatic fibrosis: Considering that the TGF-β1/Smads pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, we detected serum TGF-β1 concentrations in these animal groups, and our results revealed that the serum expression level of TGF-β1 was decreased by more than 23% in the BSM group (Figure 5F).