- Academic Editor
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†These authors contributed equally.
Background: Salvianolic acid C (SAC) is a natural compound derived from
Salvia miltiorrhiza that can protect against renal diseases. The aims of this
work were to explore the effect of SAC on kidney tubulointerstitial fibrosis and
study the associated mechanism. Methods: Models for unilateral ureteral
obstruction (UUO) and aristolochic acid I (AAI) were established in mice to study
renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Rat kidney fibroblasts (NRK-49F) and human
kidney epithelial cells (HK2) were used as cellular models to evaluate the
effects of SAC on kidney fibrosis. Results: Treatment with SAC for two
weeks reduced the level of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in UUO- and
AAI-induced fibrotic kidneys, as demonstrated by Masson’s staining and Western
blot. SAC inhibited extracellular matrix protein expression in NRK-49F cells and
TGF-