ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the effect of schisandrin B (SchB) on P21 and Caspase-3 expression in cisplatin induced human proximal renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells injuried by CDDP in vitro. Methods: HK-2 cells were randomly divided into five groups: control group (untreated), CDDP group (treated with 50 μmol/L CDDP for 24 h), SchB pretreat groups (CDDP + SchB, cells were pretreated with 5, 10, and 20 μmol/L SchB for 2 h, and the rest of the operation was the same as CDDP group). CCK-8 kit was used to detect the cell viability of five groups. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rate of five groups. The morphology of cells was observed by inverted microscope. The protein expression of P21 and Caspase-3 was assessed by Western blotting assay. Results: Compared with the control group, the cell viability decreased, and the apoptosis increased, the protein expression of P21 and Caspase-3 was up-regulated in HK-2 cells after treated with 50 μmol/L CDDP. Cell volume was reduced, and the mutual connection disappeared. Compared with the CDDP group, the cell viability increased and the apoptosis was decreased, the expression of Caspase-3 was down-regulated and the expression of P21 was up-regulated in HK-2 cells after pretreated with 5, 10, and 20 μmol/L SchB. Cell morphological damage lightened, the volume slightly decreased, and the mutual connection reduced. Conclusion: SchB has a protective effect on HK-2 cells damage induced by cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to up-regulation of P21 and down-regulation of Caspase-3 expression, and its protective effect is dose dependent.