Rosmarinic acid: a promising agent for male rats' renal protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant renoprotective effects of rosmarinic acid, a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid, against renal damage and dysfunction following renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in male rats.

METHODS

The rats were divided into four separate groups (n = 7 per group): sham (1 ml 1% DMSO, i.p.), sham + RA (rosmarinic acid, 100 mg/kg in 1 ml 1% DMSO, i.p.), I/R (bilateral renal ischemia for 45 min followed by 24 h reperfusion), I/R + RA (rosmarinic acid, 100 mg/kg in 1 ml 1% DMSO, i.p. once, 30 min prior to ischemia). After the 24-hour reperfusion period, kidney tissue samples, blood, and 24-hour urine were taken.

RESULTS

In contrast to the sham and sham + RA groups, IR injury (IRI) resulted in renal dysfunction (increased fractional excretion of sodium and decreased creatinine clearance), raised malondialdehyde levels, enhanced TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4), NFĸB (nuclear factor-ĸB) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) gene expression levels, and histological lesions in kidney tissue Administration of rosmarinic acid attenuated each change.

CONCLUSIONS

Rosmarinic acid protects the kidney against IRI by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Rosmarinic acid's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties most likely play an important role in addressing functional problems and protecting the kidney from IRI.