Senkyunolide I alleviates renal Ischemia-Reperfusion injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis.

BACKGROUND

Ligusticum striatum DC. is traditionally used to treat ischemic diseases because of its potent effect against blood stasis and thrombosis, including various cardiovascular, cerebral and renal diseases. Senkyunolide I (SEI), which is the major active phthalide ingredient of Ligusticum striatum DC., is mainly distributed in kidney and has been shown to attenuate ischemia reperfusion injury in liver. However, the underlying effect of SEI against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) remain unclear.

METHODS

Renal ischemia reperfusion mice model was established by clamping bilateral renal pedicles. In vitro oxidative stress model was induced by HO. Level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) was tested for in vivo model evaluation, while cell viability was tested using CCK8 to evaluate in vitro model. SEI solution containing 1% DMSO was injected intraperitoneally in the I/R group, while normal saline containing 1% DMSO injected in the Sham group. Reduced glutathione (GSH) solution containing 1% DMSO was used as a positive control.

RESULTS

SEI protected renal function and structural integrity. It reversed the I/R-induced elevation of BUN, SCr levels and renal pathological injury. The secretion of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6 was inhibited, and the renal apoptosis was attenuated by SEI. In addition, SEI played a protective role by reducing the production of reactive oxidative species (ROS), as shown by the elevated expression of antioxidant proteins including Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and reduced expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) related proteins including GRP78 and CHOP. It also attenuated HK2 cell injury in an in vitro model induced by HO.

CONCLUSIONS

SEI alleviates renal injury induced by ischemia reperfusion with anti-inflammatory, anti-endoplasmic reticulum stress, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effect.