Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Published on: August 23, 2024
The Amomum tsao-ko Essential Oils Inhibited Inflammation and Apoptosis through p38/JNK MAPK Signaling Pathway and
Xiu-Jun Xu1, Mei-Ling Zhang2, Yan-Min Hou1
1Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Phytomedicine Resource and Utilization, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, China.
Abstract:
The clinical application of gentamicin may lead to acute kidney injury (AKI), and the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin is related to the pathological mechanism of several oxidative and inflammatory cytokines. Plant-derived essential oils have good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to clarify the protective effect of Amomum tsao-ko essential oils (AOs) on gentamicin-induced AKI in rats and its possible mechanism. The rat AKI model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of gentamicin. After 14 days of oral AO treatment, the renal function and pathological changes of the kidney tissues were evaluated, and the level of kidney tissue oxidative stress was detected. The content of inflammatory cytokines was measured by ELISA. The expression of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, p38, NF-κB, caspase-3, and Bax/Bcl-2 proteins were estimated by Western blot analysis. The results showed that taking AO reduced the contents of serum urea and creatinine in AKI rats and improve the pathological changes and oxidative stress of the kidney tissue in rats. At the same time, AO reduced inflammation and apoptosis during AKI by regulating the MAPK pathway. The data show that AO has a protective effect on the kidneys and may be a potential drug for treating kidney injury.
Insights
Amomum tsao-ko essential oils (AOs) protect against gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. AOs reduce kidney damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, suggesting potential therapeutic use for kidney injury.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Nephrology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Gentamicin administration can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) due to oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Plant-derived essential oils possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may mitigate drug-induced kidney damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of Amomum tsao-ko essential oils (AOs) against gentamicin-induced AKI in a rat model.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis pathways.
Main Methods:
- An experimental rat model of AKI was established using gentamicin injection.
- Rats were treated orally with AOs for 14 days, followed by assessment of renal function, kidney pathology, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines (ELISA), and protein expression (Western blot) of key signaling molecules (MAPK pathway, NF-κB, apoptosis markers).
Main Results:
- AO treatment significantly reduced serum urea and creatinine levels in gentamicin-induced AKI rats.
- AOs improved kidney tissue pathology and decreased oxidative stress.
- AO administration attenuated inflammation and apoptosis by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, including ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38, as well as NF-κB and caspase-3/Bax/Bcl-2 expression.
Conclusions:
- Amomum tsao-ko essential oils demonstrate significant nephroprotective effects against gentamicin-induced AKI in rats.
- AOs exert their protective action by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, likely through modulation of the MAPK pathway.
- These findings suggest that AOs hold potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating kidney injury.
