Ligusticum chuanxiong Effects on Oxidative Stress and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Using Nano-Magnetic Beads in Bleomycin-Induced Renal Fibrosis Rats

Abstract

Ligusticum chuanxiong can relieve the degree of renal fibrosis. However, the specific mechanism of Ligusticum chuanxiong to improve renal fibrosis is not yet clear. A unilateral ureteral obstruction was used to construct a rat renal fibrosis model. The rats were treated with 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg of Ligusticum chuanxiong. Four weeks after treatment, blood was collected from the rats, and the rats were sacrificed. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), kidney tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were detected. Hematoxylin–eosin staining was used to observe the pathological rat kidney changes. The renal tissue smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected by immunohistochemistry. Nrf2 and HO-1 levels were determined by PCR using nano-magnetic beads. The results showed BUN, Scr, and MDA levels reduced, while SOD levels were elevated in Ligusticum chuanxiong-treated rats, compared to model rats (P < 0.05). These effects were more dramatic in Ligusticum chuanxiong high dose (HD) rats compared to Ligusticum chuanxiong low dose (LD) rats. Additionally, Nrf2 and HO-1 levels were elevated in Ligusticum chuanxiong-treated rats (P < 0.05). These effects were also more dramatic in HD rats compared to LD rats. These findings indicated that Ligusticum chuanxiong early administration can reduce renal fibrosis in rats by stimulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.