Protective effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract against renal ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury in rats.

The present study investigates the effect of pre-treatment with Salvia miltiorrhiza ethanol extracts (SMEE) on renal function markers, immunity and antioxidant activities in renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR) rats. Wistar rat kidneys were subjected to 60 min of global ischemia at 37 °C followed by 30 min of reperfusion, and were randomly assigned into the sham, IR model and three SMEE-treated groups (n = 8 per group). Results showed that high serum creatinin (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and malondialhehyde (MDA) levels, and low antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in IR rats compared to the sham rats. Pre-treatment of Salvia miltiorrhiza ethanol extracts for 20 days prior to IR operation improved renal function, reduced IR induced renal inflammatory and oxidative injury. It is concluded that Salvia miltiorrhiza ethanol extracts could be beneficial in the treatment of renal ischemic injury.