AKT1 and renal fibrosis: Studies have found that by down-regulating the AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway, AS-IV can reduce the expression of α-SMA, type I collagen and fibronectin induced by TGF-β1 and inhibits the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of rat renal tubular epithelial cells and delays renal fibrosis [51].