Protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction

Renal fibrosis is a key factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and current treatments remain inadequate. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of cynaroside (Cyn), a natural flavonoid, in a mouse model of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction....

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Main Authors: Ah Young Yang, Jung-Yeon Kim, Mi-Gyeong Gwon, Kiryeong Kim, Hyun Hee Kwon, Jaechan Leem, Sung-Woo Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Redox Report
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13510002.2025.2500271
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author Ah Young Yang
Jung-Yeon Kim
Mi-Gyeong Gwon
Kiryeong Kim
Hyun Hee Kwon
Jaechan Leem
Sung-Woo Kim
author_facet Ah Young Yang
Jung-Yeon Kim
Mi-Gyeong Gwon
Kiryeong Kim
Hyun Hee Kwon
Jaechan Leem
Sung-Woo Kim
author_sort Ah Young Yang
collection DOAJ
description Renal fibrosis is a key factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and current treatments remain inadequate. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of cynaroside (Cyn), a natural flavonoid, in a mouse model of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction. Cyn treatment significantly ameliorated tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis while improving renal function. Mechanistically, Cyn inhibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins and suppressed Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Additionally, Cyn reduced myofibroblast accumulation by inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition, as indicated by increased E-cadherin expression and decreased levels of mesenchymal markers. Cyn also reduced oxidative stress by downregulating the prooxidant enzyme NADPH oxidase 4 and restoring antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, Cyn attenuated ferroptosis by regulating key proteins, including acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4, transferrin receptor 1, and glutathione peroxidase 4, while also restoring glutathione levels. Cyn alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress, as evidenced by the downregulation of key markers such as glucose-regulated protein 78 and activating transcription factor 6, and reduced inflammation, as confirmed by decreased macrophage infiltration and lower cytokine production. Overall, Cyn demonstrated broad protective effects against renal fibrosis by modulating oxidative stress, ferroptosis, ER stress, and inflammation, positioning it as a potential therapeutic agent for CKD management.
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spelling doaj-art-a25eb4ee1f3b406d907e734d1d9a02f92025-08-20T03:11:26ZengTaylor & Francis GroupRedox Report1351-00021743-29282025-12-0130110.1080/13510002.2025.2500271Protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstructionAh Young Yang0Jung-Yeon Kim1Mi-Gyeong Gwon2Kiryeong Kim3Hyun Hee Kwon4Jaechan Leem5Sung-Woo Kim6Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Immunology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Immunology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Immunology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Immunology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaRenal fibrosis is a key factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and current treatments remain inadequate. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of cynaroside (Cyn), a natural flavonoid, in a mouse model of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction. Cyn treatment significantly ameliorated tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis while improving renal function. Mechanistically, Cyn inhibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins and suppressed Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Additionally, Cyn reduced myofibroblast accumulation by inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition, as indicated by increased E-cadherin expression and decreased levels of mesenchymal markers. Cyn also reduced oxidative stress by downregulating the prooxidant enzyme NADPH oxidase 4 and restoring antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, Cyn attenuated ferroptosis by regulating key proteins, including acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4, transferrin receptor 1, and glutathione peroxidase 4, while also restoring glutathione levels. Cyn alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress, as evidenced by the downregulation of key markers such as glucose-regulated protein 78 and activating transcription factor 6, and reduced inflammation, as confirmed by decreased macrophage infiltration and lower cytokine production. Overall, Cyn demonstrated broad protective effects against renal fibrosis by modulating oxidative stress, ferroptosis, ER stress, and inflammation, positioning it as a potential therapeutic agent for CKD management.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13510002.2025.2500271Cynarosidechronic kidney diseaserenal fibrosisoxidative stressferroptosisendoplasmic reticulum stress
spellingShingle Ah Young Yang
Jung-Yeon Kim
Mi-Gyeong Gwon
Kiryeong Kim
Hyun Hee Kwon
Jaechan Leem
Sung-Woo Kim
Protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction
Redox Report
Cynaroside
chronic kidney disease
renal fibrosis
oxidative stress
ferroptosis
endoplasmic reticulum stress
title Protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction
title_full Protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction
title_fullStr Protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction
title_full_unstemmed Protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction
title_short Protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction
title_sort protective effects and mechanisms of cynaroside on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction
topic Cynaroside
chronic kidney disease
renal fibrosis
oxidative stress
ferroptosis
endoplasmic reticulum stress
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13510002.2025.2500271
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