Furthermore, AF treatment dose-dependently decreased extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and inflammatory factors secretion in LPS-induced NP cells, evidenced by enhanced aggrecan and collagen type II protein expression (all p < 0.01), and reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 section (all p < 0.05). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is atrial fibrillation.