Septic
acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important medical problem worldwide, but current treatments are limited. During
sepsis,
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates various signaling pathways involved in multiorgan failure.
Carnosic acid is a natural phenolic
diterpene and has multiple bioactivities, such as anti-
tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects. However, the effect of
carnosic acid on septic AKI has not been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether
carnosic acid has a
therapeutic effect on LPS-induced kidney injury. Administration of
carnosic acid after LPS injection ameliorated histological abnormalities and renal dysfunction.
Cytokine production, immune cell infiltration, and nuclear factor-κB activation after LPS injection were also alleviated by
carnosic acid. The compound suppressed oxidative stress with the modulation of
pro-oxidant and
antioxidant enzymes. Tubular cell apoptosis and
caspase-3 activation were also inhibited by
carnosic acid. These data suggest that
carnosic acid ameliorates LPS-induced AKI via inhibition of
inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and could serve as a useful treatment agent for septic AKI.