Protective effect of ethanol extract of Cuscuta chinensis on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury via suppressing the toll-like receptors 4-nuclear factor-κB pathway

Background: The seed of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. ( Cuscuta, Convolvulaceae ), is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, with a variety of biological activity. However, the efficacy of C. chinensis has not been investigated in renal injury caused by sepsis. Objective: Our research was carried out to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of C. chinensis seeds (ECCS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in Kunming mice, and explore its underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: ECCS was administered orally (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg bodyweight, once daily) to the AKI mice for 14 consecutive days. On the 14 th day, LPS (7 mg/kg) was administered to induce AKI. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), cytokines, and antioxidant index were estimated. The protein phosphorylation was tested by Western blot. Results: Results indicated that ECCS (100 mg/kg) decreased LPS-induced augmented BUN by 58.54% ( P P P Conclusions: The protective effect of ECCS against LPS-induced AKI was at least partially associated with suppressing of a TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway, which provides evidence of the renal protective function of C. chinensis extract. Abbreviations used: AKI: Acute kidney injury; LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; NF κB: Nuclear factor κB; IκB: Inhibitor kappa B; IL: Interleukin; ECCS: Ethanol extract of C. chinensis seed; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; TLR4: Toll like receptor 4; BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; Cr: Creatinine; MDA: Malondialdehyde; PVDF: Polyvinylidene fluoride; TBST: TBS-Tween solution; iNOS: Inducible NOS; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; TH: T Helper; TBHB: Tert-butyl hydroperoxide; IFN-γ: Interferon-γ.