Rhein inhibits the activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 and TβRI and improves the deformation of renal tubular epithelial cells, tubular atrophy, ECM deposition and renal fibrosis in mice (He et al., 2011). This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and renal fibrosis.