Suppressive effects of rosmarinic acid on mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in rats.
BACKGROUND
Rosmarinic acid is known to be a natural phenolic compound widely distributed in Labiatae herbs such as rosemary, sweet basil, and perilla. In the present study, we evaluated the suppressive effects of rosmarinic acid on mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in vivo, which was induced by intravenous injection of rabbit anti-rat thymocyte serum (ATS) to rats.


METHODS
Rosmarinic acid was orally administered to the rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day from the day of ATS injection (day 0) to day 8 when rats were sacrificed. The degree of mesangial cell proliferation and matrix accumulation were evaluated by trichrome staining and by immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), fibronectin, type IV collagen and fibrin. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-activity in the homogenate of renal cortex was also evaluated.


RESULTS
The number of PCNA-positive cells, staining areas of trichrome, fibronectin, collagen IV and fibrin in the glomerulus were significantly decreased, and SOD-activity of renal cortex homogenate was significantly augmented in rosmarinic acid-treated group.


CONCLUSIONS
Rosmarinic acid would suppress the proliferation of mesangial cells and glomerular matrix expansion in vivo by its fibrinolytic and anti-oxidative activity.
Makino
Toshiaki
T
Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Ono
Takahiko
T
Liu
Ning
N
Nakamura
Tomoko
T
Muso
Eri
E
Honda
Gisho
G
D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053630:Depsides; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D031344:Perilla frutescens; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D000097123:Rosmarinic Acid
D000418:Albumins; D000906:Antibodies; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D000975:Antioxidants; D002934:Cinnamates; D053630:Depsides; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011239:Prednisolone; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000097123:Rosmarinic Acid