Renoprotective effects of ursolic acid on ischemia/reperfusion­induced acute kidney injury through oxidative stress, inflammation and the inhibition of STAT3 and NF­κB activities.

ABSTRACT

Ursolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene compound with low toxicity and easy availability, has a variety of biological activities, including antitumor, antioxidant, antihepatitis, anti­inflammatory and antibacterial effects. The present study aimed to investigate the renoprotective effects of ursolic acid on ischemia/reperfusion­induced acute kidney injury (I/R­IAKI) in rats associated with its antioxidant and anti­inflammatory effects, as well as interference with the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3/nuclear factor (NF)­κB signaling pathway. The present study demonstrated that pre­treatment with ursolic acid significantly increased renal functioning and attenuated increases of serum angiotensin II levels in rats subjected to I/R­IAKI. In addition, I/R­IAKI­induced inflammation and oxidative stress were significantly reduced by pre­treatment with ursolic acid. Furthermore, ursolic acid significantly suppressed the upregulation of STAT3, NF­κB and caspase­3 activities in rats following I/R­IAKI. These results indicated that ursolic acid may be a potential drug for reducing I/R­IAKI through suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress damage, as well as modulation of STAT3 and NF­κB activities.