Potential nephroprotective effects of the Chinese herb <i>Angelica sinensis</i> against cisplatin tubulotoxicity

Techniques used to limit nephrotoxicity during CisPt treatment are not fully effective; about a third of patients experience AKI. New nephroprotective strategies, including pharmacological approaches, must be developed.</p> <p><i>Objective</i>: The present study investigated the nephroprotective potential of <i>Angelica sinensis</i> (Oliv.) Diels (Apiaceae) root towards CisPt tubulotoxicity.</p> <p><i>Materials and methods</i>: HK-2 cells were incubated with CisPt (10 µM) and/or with a methanolic extract of <i>A. sinensis</i> (AS).

Nephroprotective capacity was evaluated by means of cellular viability (resazurin assay) and apoptosis (annexin-V/PI staining), oxidative stress generation (H₂DCF-DA oxidation), Ki-67 index (immunofluorescence), cell cycle analysis (DNA staining), cell migration rate (scratch assay), extracellular matrix deposition (collagen determination), and β-catenin relocalization.</p> <p><i>Results</i>: CisPt decreased cell viability [76% versus Ctrl], which was associated with an increased apoptosis.