Methanol Extract of Goat's-beard (Aruncus dioicus) Reduces Renal Injury by Inhibiting Apoptosis in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion

Aruncus Dioicus Var. Kamtschaticus Extract Prevents Ocular Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress In Vitro

The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory and anti-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress effects of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus (ADK) extract on ARPE-19 cells. Pretreatment with ADK effectively mitigated thapsigargin (Tg)-induced increases in vascular endothelial growth factor protein secretion and intracellular calcium levels. Furthermore, pretreatment with ADK suppressed ocular ER stress-related protein expression in a dose-dependent manner, inhibited the loss of tight junctions, and suppressed interleukin-6 gene expression. Moreover, ADK pretreatment significantly prevented lipopolysaccharide-inducible proinflammatory cytokine gene expression at the transcription level and the phosphorylation of proteins involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) axis at the posttranslational level. Additionally, ADK extract enhanced antioxidant activity, as evidenced by increased heme oxygenase-1 protein expression and increased 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. In conclusion, ADK extract effectively protected ARPE-19 cells from ocular ER stress, inflammation, and oxidative stress, demonstrating its potential as a nutraceutical intervention for ocular diseases.

Plants with Therapeutic Potential for Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury: A Systematic Review

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex condition which has an intricate pathology mostly involving hemodynamic, inflammatory, and direct toxic effects at the cellular level with high morbidity and mortality ratios. Renal ischemic reperfusion injury (RIRI) is the main factor responsible for AKI, most often observed in different types of shock, kidney transplantation, sepsis, and postoperative procedures. The RIRI-induced AKI is accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species generation together with the activation of various inflammatory pathways. In this context, plant-derived medicines have shown encouraging nephroprotective properties. Evidence provided in this systemic review leads to the conclusion that plant-derived extracts and compounds exhibit nephroprotective action against renal ischemic reperfusion induced-AKI by increasing endogenous antioxidants and decreasing anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, there is no defined biomarker or target which can be used for treating AKI completely. These plant-derived extracts and compounds are only tested in selected transgenic animal models. To develop the results obtained into a therapeutic entity, one should apply them in proper vertebrate multitransgenic animal models prior to further validation in humans.