Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

A study on the mechanism of cordycepin in regulating autophagy and alleviating renal tubular interstitial fibrosis

Ke Sun, Zhenliang Fan, Junfeng Fan

Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China;

For correspondence:- Junfeng Fan Email: fanjf202305@163.com Tel:+8613750847358

Accepted: 26 February 2024 Published: 31 March 2024

Citation: Sun K, Fan Z, Fan J. A study on the mechanism of cordycepin in regulating autophagy and alleviating renal tubular interstitial fibrosis. Trop J Pharm Res 2024; 23(3):529-535 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v23i3.6

© 2024 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To elucidate the role of cordycepin in modulating autophagy and mitigating renal tubular interstitial fibrosis in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).

Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to four groups: control, sham, UUO and cordyceps-treated groups (10 rats per group). The UUO and cordyceps groups underwent surgery to induce unilateral ureteral obstruction. The cordyceps group received intravenous cordycepin (10 mg/kg) daily for 14 days, while the control and UUO groups received normal saline. Histopathological examination, assessment of fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen III) and autophagy markers (Atg5, LC3II/I) were conducted.

Results: The UUO group exhibited significant tubular damage and interstitial fibrosis, with elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory and oxidative markers (p < 0.05). Cordycepin treatment attenuated these pathological changes, evidenced by reduced fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Enhanced autophagic activity was observed in the cordycepin group, suggesting a potential mechanism of its renoprotective effect.

Conclusion: Cordyceps is effective in inhibiting renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, potentially through the activation of autophagy and reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. Future studies should focus on unraveling the specific molecular mechanisms of cordycepin's action and assessing its applicability in CKD treatment.

Keywords: Cordycepin, Autophagy, Oxidative stress injury, Inflammatory damage, Tubulointerstitial fibrosis