SMAD4 and Hepatic fibrosis: The protein levels showed a correspondingly significant elevation of TGF-β1, Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3, and Smad4 increased as liver fibrosis progressed, and these mediators' levels peaked and had statistical significance at 7 wpi (TGF-β1: 2.04-fold, P < 0.001; Smad2/3: 1.75-fold, P < 0.001; p-Smad2/3: 1.77-fold, P < 0.001) and 9 wpi (Smad4: 3.74-fold, P < 0.001), respectively.