Rosmarinic acid: a promising agent for male rats' renal protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant renoprotective effects of rosmarinic acid, a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid, against renal damage and dysfunction following renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in male rats.

Methods: The rats were divided into four separate groups (n = 7 per group): sham (1 ml 1% DMSO, i.p.), sham + RA (rosmarinic acid, 100 mg/kg in 1 ml 1% DMSO, i.p.), I/R (bilateral renal ischemia for 45 min followed by 24 h reperfusion), I/R + RA (rosmarinic acid, 100 mg/kg in 1 ml 1% DMSO, i.p. once, 30 min prior to ischemia). After the 24-hour reperfusion period, kidney tissue samples, blood, and 24-hour urine were taken.

Results: In contrast to the sham and sham + RA groups, IR injury (IRI) resulted in renal dysfunction (increased fractional excretion of sodium and decreased creatinine clearance), raised malondialdehyde levels, enhanced TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4), NFĸB (nuclear factor-ĸB) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) gene expression levels, and histological lesions in kidney tissue Administration of rosmarinic acid attenuated each change.

Conclusions: Rosmarinic acid protects the kidney against IRI by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Rosmarinic acid's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties most likely play an important role in addressing functional problems and protecting the kidney from IRI.