Therapeutic effects of the alkaline extract of leaves of Sasa sp. and elucidation of its mechanism in acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI), a common complication in hospitalized patients, is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, there are currently no approved or effective therapeutics for AKI. AKI is primarily caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, with oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS) being a major contributor. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an alkaline extract of the leaves of Sasa sp. (SE) using mouse renal I/R injury and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) models in NRK-52E cells. Renal function parameters were measured, and histopathological evaluations were performed to assess the efficacy of SE. In addition, to determine the mechanisms underlying the effects of SE on renal I/R injury, its effects on malondialdehyde (MDA) of oxidative stress and interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β of inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. SE (0.03, 0.3, and 3 g/kg) improved renal function in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, SE ameliorated tubular injury and, reduced IL-6, IL-1β and MDA. Also, SE ameliorated cell death, ROS production, and inflammatory cytokine production in H/R-exposed NRK-52E cells. SE showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the AKI. These results indicate the potential of SE as a medicinal compound for the prevention and treatment of AKI.