Crepidiastrum denticulatum Extract Ameliorates Kidney Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

Crepidiastrum denticulatum (CD) is a well-known, traditionally consumed vegetable in Korea, which was recently reported to contain bioactive compounds with detoxification and antioxidant properties. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major problem after renal transplantation. Furthermore, inflammatory responses to IRI exacerbate the resultant renal injury. In the present study, we investigated whether CD extract exhibits renoprotective effects against IR-induced acute kidney injury in mice. Renal IRI was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by bilateral renal pedicle occlusion for 30 minutes followed by reperfusion for 48 hours. CD extract (75 mg/kg) was administered orally 5 days before IRI. Treatment with CD extract significantly decreased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels as well as kidney tubular injury. CD also prevented IRI-induced renal glutathione depletion and increased malondialdehyde levels. Western blotting and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction indicated that CD extract significantly attenuates inducible nitric oxide synthase and toll-like receptor 2/4 protein levels 48 h after IRI. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β was significantly decreased in the CD extract treatment group. CD extract improved acute renal IRI through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest that CD extract is a potential therapeutic agent for acute ischemia-induced renal damage. •Crepidiastrum denticulatum (CD) is an antioxidant anti-inflammatory compound.•We investigated the effects of CD in a renal ischemia-reperfusion model.•CD decreased serum BUN and creatinine, and renal malondialdehyde levels.•CD lowered toll-like receptor2/4, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression.•CD is a promising therapy for acute ischemia-induced renal damage.