ABSTRACT
To evaluate the nephrotoxicity of total terpenoids from Alismatis Rhizoma on human kidney proximal tubular cells (HK-2), explore the iraction in inducing apoptosis of HK-2 cells, and provide reference for the research of controversial nephrotoxicity of total terpenoids from Alismatis Rhizoma, HK-2 cells were used and cells viability was measured by MTT colorimetric method. An assessment of cells apoptosis was also conducted by using flow cytometry. Meanwhile western blot assay was used to detect the protein expressions of caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Kim-1, clusterin and TFF-3. At last, q-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Kim-1, clusterin and TFF-3. The flow cytometry results showed that cells apoptosis rate was (37.48±1.76)%, (26.91±1.91)% and (25.61±2.05)% respectively after treating with total terpenoids (6.25×10-5, 3.125×10-5, 1.562 5×10-5 g•mL⁻¹). Western blot results showed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl protein levels were significantly decreased after treating with total terpenoids (6.25×10-5, 3.125×10-5, 1.562 5×10-5 g•mL⁻¹), while the protein expression of caspase-3 was significantly increased. q-PCR results were the same with western blot results, that mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl were significantly decreased while mRNA expression of caspase-3 was significantly increased after treating with total terpenoids (6.25×10-5, 3.125×10-5, 1.562 5×10-5 g•mL⁻¹). Western blot results and q-PCR results showed that both mRNA and protein expressions of Kim-1, clusterin and TFF-3 were significantly increased after treating with total terpenoids from Alismatis Rhizoma (6.25×10-5, 3.125×10-5, 1.562 5×10-5 g•mL⁻¹). HK-2 cells in vitro evaluation results showed that, total terpenoids from Alismatis Rhizoma may have nephrotoxicity effect, but further study is still needed for verification; meanwhile, they could induce HK-2 cells apoptosis, providing basis for nephrotoxicity study and safe application of Alismatis Rhizoma.