Protective role of tenuigenin on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury in mice.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe complication of sepsis, which largely contributes to the associated high mortality rate. Tenuigenin (TNG) is a natural product isolated from Polygala tenuifolia root, which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The present study investigated the effects of TNG on sepsis-associated AKI in mice subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). TNG was demonstrated to alleviate sepsis-induced AKI by reducing pathological changes and significantly decreasing the levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and kidney coefficient. The production of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6, was markedly inhibited by TNG. Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed that the morphological changes of kidney tissues in CLP mice were reversed following TNG treatment. Furthermore, treatment with TNG inhibited the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2. Finally, TNG inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. The present study suggested that TNG alleviates sepsis-induced AKI by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, which provides a novel approach for treating sepsis-induced AKI.