Protective effects of asiaticoside on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury in mice

Abstract

Objective The present study is to investigate the protective effects of asiaticoside on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury in mice. Method With the sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), forty eight kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups as sham operated, CLP treated, CLP + asiaticoside 15, 45 mg x kg(-1) groups. General conditions and the amount of dead rate of mice were observed. The BUN and Cr levels were observed by the kits. IL-6 in serum was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Kidney tissues were harvested for determination of iNOS expression by Western blotting analysis. The pathologic changes were observed under electron microscope via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stain. Result Compared with CLP group, the death rate, the levels of BUN, Cr, IL-6, and iNOS protein expression of asiaticoside groups were significantly reduced. The pathologic changes in kidney tissues induced by sepsis were significantly attenuated dose-dependently by asiaticoside under electron microscope. Conclusion Asiaticoside has protective effects against sepsis-induced acute kidney injury, which were probably associated with the inhibition of IL-6 in serum and iNOS protein in kidney tissues.