Kurarinone activates the Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway and alleviates high glucose-induced ferroptosis in HK2 cells.

To investigate the possible effects of Kurarinone on the ferroptosis and EMT of high glucose (HG)-stimulated HK2 cells, and uncover the mechanism. HK2 cells were treated with glucose to construct a DN cell model. CCK-8 and FCM assays exhibited the effects on growth as well as apoptosis of HK2 cells. DCF staining as well as Immunoblot assays exhibited the effects on ferroptosis. JC-1 staining exhibited the effects on mitochondrial function. Immunoblot assays showed the effects on the EMT process of HK2 cells. Immunoblot assays confirmed the mechanism. Kurarinone inhibited the apoptosis of HG-stimulated HK2 cells. It also blocked the ferroptosis of HG-stimulated HK2 cells. Further data showed that Kurarinone suppressed the mitochondrial damage in HG-stimulated HK2 cells, and restrained EMT process. Mechanically, Kurarinone activated the Nrf-2 pathway in HG-stimulated HK2 cells. Kurarinone activates the Nrf-2 pathway and alleviates HG-stimulated ferroptosis and EMT in HK2 cells.