To investigate the mechanisms by which ethanol, methanol and aqueous crude extracts of roots of A. membranaceus and A. sinensis afford protection to human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells, using an in vitro model of oxidative stress.
Ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of roots of A. membranaceus and A. sinensis were prepared by a three-solvent sequential process. HK2 human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells were treated with H2O2 alone (0.5 mM) or in combination with different concentrations of extracts. Cell mitosis and death (microscopy) and cell viability (MTT assay) were compared. Western immunoblot was used to study expression of apoptosis-related proteins (pro-apoptotic Bax andanti-apoptotic Bcl-XL), and cell survival (NFκB subunits p65 and p50), pro-inflammatory (TNF-α) and protective (TGFβ1) proteins.
H2O2-induced oxidative stress significantly increased apoptosis and reduced cell survival; upregulated pro-apoptotic and down-regulated Bcl-XL; increased NFκB (p65, p50); increased TNFα and decreased TGFβ1. All changes indicated kidney damage and dysfunction. All were modulated by all extracts of both plant species, except for NFκB which was only modulated by extracts of A. membranaceus.
In conclusion, in a model of oxidative stress that might occur after nephrotoxicity, the plant extracts were protective via anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.