Myricitrin protects against cisplatin-induced kidney injury by eliminating excessive reactive oxygen species

Background Cisplatin could result in a wide range of kidney injuries. During the pathogenetic process, the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by cisplatin has been regarded as the initial and critical role, by which DNA damage and cell death could subsequently come up. Therefore the elimination of ROS has long been considered as effective mean to prevent cisplatin-induced kidney injury. Myricitrin is a newfound natural polyphenol hydroxy flavonoid glycoside compound, whose forceful anti-oxidative properties had been confirmed. Thus, we aim to investigate if myricitrin could protect against cisplatin-induced kidney injury. Methods A cisplatin-induced kidney injury model was established in mice by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin. The protective effect of myricitrin on kidney injury was evaluated by serum BUN and Cre level. The Kidney pathology was observed with H&E and TUNEL staining. Then cell viability and apoptosis rate were measured using MMT assay and flow cytometry to assess if myricitrin could protect KH-2 cells against cisplatin-induced injury. The intracellular ROS was detected by ROS fluorogenic probe and quantitatively analyzed by flow cytometry. Finally, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was investigated by western blotting to indicate the influence in apoptosis pathway. Results Myricitrin could significantly remit kidney injury induced by cisplatin and inhibit apoptosis of KH-2 cells. In mechanism, myricitrin could eliminate ROS and subsequently block activation of apoptosis pathway. Conclusion Myricitrin protects against cisplatin-induced kidney injury by eliminating excessive ROS.