Based on network pharmacology, the mechanism of Dioscin in alleviating renal tubular epithelial cell injury induced by calcium oxalate crystals was explored.

The commencement of kidney stone formation involves a crucial initial phase characterized by injury to renal tubular cells caused by calcium oxalate (CaOx). Dioscin (Dio) has been acknowledged for its potent anti-inflammation and anti-apoptotic properties; nevertheless, the impact and underlying Investigation into the molecular basis underlying the action of Dioscin in mitigating inflammation and apoptotic induced by exposure to calcium oxalate crystals in renal tissues remain unexplored. To comprehend the precise mechanism of Dioscin in the treatment of crystalline nephropathy, we conducted experiments utilizing a murine model of CaOx crystal deposition, induced by intraperitoneal administration of glyoxylate. An in vitro model was constructed using HK-2 cells exposed to calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM). To evaluate the effect of Dioscin on calcium oxalate crystal deposition by ROS assay, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, Periodic Acid-Schiff staining (PAS) staining, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods, we explored the molecular mechanism of Dioscin in the treatment of CaOx-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury. Subsequently, we conducted experiments to verify our findings. We observed a significant protective effect of Dioscin treatment against kidney oxidative stress and inflammation induced by CaOx. Then we predicted through network pharmacology that Dioscin exerts its anti-apoptotic effect through the NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Then we verified in vitro and in vivo that administration of Dioscin can alleviate the elevation of TLR4 and activation of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway induced by calcium oxalate, as well as attenuate renal apoptosis. Instead, the beneficial impact of this protection of Dioscin was reversed after overexpression of the TLR4. Dioscin has the potential to alleviate the activation of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway through TLR4, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. This study provides new ideas for the prevention and treatment of kidney stones.