Protective effect of baicalin on acute kidney injury induced by aristolochic acid in mice

Objective：To explore the effect of baicalin on acute kidney injury induced by aristolochic acid in mice and the underlying mechanism. Methods：The C57 male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, model group, low-dose baicalin group, and high-dose baicalin group. For the model group, acute kidney injury model was established by intraperitoneal injection of aristolochic acid, and the low-dose baicalin and high-dose baicalin group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg baicalin, respectively. After 3 days, mouse serum was collected to detect renal function, and renal tissues were analyzed by H-E staining, TUNEL staining, and Western blotting. Results：Renal function results showed that, compared with the control group, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen in the model group increased significantly and decreased after treatment with high-dose baicalin (P<0.05). H-E staining showed that renal tubules and tubulointerstitium in the model group were significantly expanded and lymphocytes infiltrated, while the renal tubules and tubulointerstitium in the high dose baicalin group were significantly dilated and lymphocytes infiltrated. TUNEL staining and Western blotting results revealed that renal cell apoptosis was significantly increased in the model group compared with the control group, but significantly reduced after high-dose baicalin treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions：Baicalin can alleviate acute kidney injury induced by aristolochic acid through reducing renal cell apoptosis.