Nephroprotection of plantamajoside in rats treated with cadmium

Cadmium (Cd), an environmental and industrial pollutant, generates free radicals responsible for oxidative stress. Cd can also lead to various renal toxic damage such as the proximal tubules and glomerulus dysfunction. Plantamajoside (PMS), a major compound of Plantago asiatica (PA), was reported to have the antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of PMS on Cd-induced renal damage in the NRK-52E cell and rat kidney tissue. Cd exposure increased the ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, serum biochemical values of renal damage, and mRNA and protein expressions of KIM-1 in vitro and in vivo. The significant reduction in glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio and activities of antioxidant enzymes were also observed in the rats treated with Cd. PMS significantly decreased the ROS generation and lipid peroxidation, thus enhancing GSH/GSSG ratio, antioxidant enzyme activities in the cells and rats, and improved histochemical appearances, indicating that PMS has protective activities against Cd-induced renal injury.