Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of purple sweet potato color (PSPC) against D-galactose (D-gal)-induced renal injury and the possible mechanisms in mice. Histopathological analysis showed PSPC could significantly attenuate renal injury induced by D-gal. We found the protective effect of PSPC against D-gal induced renal injury might be caused, at least in part, by renewing the activity of antioxidant enzymes with a reduction in lipid peroxidation. These results implied that PSPC had a potential antioxidative activity. Furthermore, we found that PSPC had anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and by decreasing the production of NO in D-gal-treated mice. Our findings suggested PSPC could attenuate renal injury induced by D-gal probably through its antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties. This study provided novel insights into the mechanisms of PSPC in the protection of the kidney.

Key words: purple sweet potato color, D-galactose, antioxidant enzymes, NF-κB, proinflammatory cytokines.