Protective effects of icariin on cisplatin-induced acute renal injury in mice

Cisplatin chemotherapy often causes acute kidney injury in cancer patients. Icariin is a bioactive flavonoid, which has renal protection and anti-inflammation effects. This study investigated the mechanism underlying the attenuation of cisplatin-induced renal injury by icariin. BALB/c mice were treated with cisplatin (15 mg/kg) with or without treatment with icariin (30 or 60 mg/kg for 5 days). Renal function, histological changes, degree of oxidative stress and tubular apoptosis were examined. The effects of icariin on cisplatin-induced expression of renal TNF-α, NF-κB, cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl-2 family proteins were evaluated. Treatment of mice with cisplatin resulted in renal damage, showing an increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, tubular damage, oxidative stress and apoptosis. These renal changes could be significantly improved by icariin treatment, especially in high dose of icariin group. Examination of molecules involving inflammation and apoptosis of the kidney revealed that treatment of icariin reduced expression of TNF-α, NF-κB, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax, increased the expression of BCL-2. These results indicate that icariin ameliorates the cisplatin-mediated nephrotoxicity via improving renal oxidant status, consequent NF-κB activation and inflammation cascade and apoptosis, and the following disturbed expression of apoptosis related proteins.