Protective effect of citronellol in rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury in mice

Citronellol protects renal function by exerting anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects against acute kidney injury induced by folic acid in mice

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by an abrupt cessation of kidney function. Folic acid-induced renal tubular damage is marked by immense inflammation and apoptosis in the kidney. Citronellol is a type of natural monoterpene alcohol commonly used in traditional medicine. Citronellol possesses pharmacological properties such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. This study aimed to investigate the reno-protective effect of citronellol against folic acid-induced AKI in mice models. Mice were divided into four groups. In addition to control and AKI-induction groups, two treatment groups were mice that received 50 or 100 mg/kg/day of citronellol orally for four consecutive days. On day 4, mice also received a single injection of folic acid (250 mg/kg) and were euthanized after 48 h. Citronellol 50 and 100 mg/kg rescued renal function as indicated by the significant reduction of serum urea, serum creatinine, and gene expression of KIM-1 compared to the non-treated group. In addition, citronellol 50 and 100 mg/kg relieved renal inflammation by significantly downregulating NF-κB, IL-6, and IL-1β gene expressions compared to the non-treated mice. Furthermore, citronellol retarded renal apoptotic events by the significant decline in renal tissue BAX and cleaved caspase-3 levels compared to non-treated mice. Histopathological report of renal tissue provides further evidence that augments the above results. The study highlighted the importance of some natural compounds that could have a place in therapeutic procedures for kidney injury, as observed by the strong renal protective effects of citronellol against AKI and remarkable anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic actions.

Chenopodium botrys Extract Affects Acute Kidney Injury Caused by Rhabdomyolysis in Rats Through TNF/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the Chenopodium botrys and the pathological mechanisms of rhabdomyolysis in the kidney, this plant can be used to improve the symptoms of this disease. Then, in this study, we investigated the effects of this herb in improving kidney injury by rhabdomyolysis. Animals were divided into five groups: control, glycerol (received it for rhabdomyolysis induction), extract (received 12 mg/kg C. botrys extract), and treatment groups with dexamethasone (0.03 mg/kg) and extract (12 mg/kg). The extract was analyzed using HNMR. After a week, blood and urine samples were taken to measure protein, urea, and creatinine. Then, the animals were sacrificed, and the kidney tissue was removed to examine the antioxidant, TNF-α, and histopathological evaluations. Also, NF-κB gene expression was investigated. The serum creatinine, TNF-α, and NF-κB ratio significantly increased and antioxidant capacity decreased in the glycerol group compared with the control. Pathological evaluation also showed severe renal damage based on the related criteria. In the treatment groups with dexamethasone and especially extract, the considered parameters attenuated relatively compared with the glycerol group. Kidney damage and functional impairment associated with rhabdomyolysis, as well as the inflammatory response caused by increased NF-κB and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, may be alleviated by C. botrys. Consequently, C. botrys could represent a potential therapeutic approach for patients with rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury.