2. Academic Validation
  3. Tangeretin protects the kidney from ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting inflammatory response through downregulation of MAOA

Tangeretin protects the kidney from ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting inflammatory response through downregulation of MAOA

  • Int Immunopharmacol. 2025 Jul 18:163:115242. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2025.115242.
Jianya Gao 1,  Xiaochun Liu 2,  Jieyao Huang 3,  Xiaofei Bi 4,  Yanjun Hu 3,  Tian Chen 4,  Qiuyan Sun 5,  Wei Fang 6,  Yaping Xiao 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Nephrology, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China; School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
  • 2 Department of Urology, Chongqing Beibu Kuanren Yiyuan, Chongqing, China.
  • 3 Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China; School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
  • 4 Chongqing Municipality Clinical Research Center for Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China; School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
  • 5 Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China; School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China. Electronic address: 18696850703@163.com.
  • 6 Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China; School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China. Electronic address: delight9924@cqu.edu.cn.
  • 7 Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China; School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China. Electronic address: xyp10908@163.com.
PMID: 40682983 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2025.115242
Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the protective effects and mechanisms of the natural antioxidant tangeretin in alleviating renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI), a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: Firstly, a RIRI mouse model was established to investigate the renoprotective effects of tangeretin. Potential therapeutic targets were identified through RNA Sequencing and network pharmacology analysis and subsequently validated using the GEO and KIT databases. Next, the interactions between key targets and ligands were examined using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and pharmacological inhibition assays were used to verify the expression profiles and functional roles of these targets as well as their involvement in relevant signaling pathways.

Results: Tangeretin significantly improved renal function and attenuated histopathological damage in mice subjected to RIRI. Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) was identified as a potential therapeutic target and was found to be markedly upregulated in RIRI, as confirmed by public database analyses. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed the stable binding interaction between tangeretin and MAOA. Experimental validation demonstrated that tangeretin inhibited MAOA/NF-κB signaling and effectively reduced renal cell Apoptosis. Moreover, the protective effects of tangeretin on renal function, inflammation, and MAOA regulation were similar to those of the MAOA inhibitor tranylcypromine.

Conclusion: Tangeretin attenuates RIRI-induced renal injury by inhibiting the MAOA/NF-κB pathway and exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. These findings highlight its potential as a promising therapeutic candidate for ischemia-associated AKI.

Keywords

MAOA; Network pharmacology; Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury; Tangeretin; Transcriptomics.

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