Pimpinella Treatment on Reducing Apoptosis of Kidney Cells Following UVB Radiation in Rats

Introduction: Pimpinella alpina Molk (PM) is a botanical antioxidant was able to inhibit apoptosis in various cells. Apoptosis is a leading cause of tubular atrophy and therefore chronic kidney disease. However, the effect of PM on reducing apoptosis in kidney cells remains unclear. Objective: aim of this study to elucidate the effect of PM on reducing apoptosis in kidney cells. Methods: In the post test only control group design, 35 male rats were grouped into 7 comprise: NC-G, samples were neither exposure to UVB nor PM treatment; NG-7 and NG-15, all samples were only exposure to UVB irradiation for 7 days; P10-7, P15-7, P10-15, P15-15 groups, samples were exposure to UVB for 7 days and treated with PM for 7 and 15 days respectively. Bax and Caspase3 expression were assessed by rt-PCR and IHC staining method. Results: Statistical analysis showed that RNA-Bax and RNA-caspase3, Bax and caspase3 protein expression in P15-7, P10-15 and P15-15 were lower significantly compared to those of NG-7, p<0.05, and no significant difference compared to those of NC-G, p > 0.05. Conclusion: PM treatment with 100 and 150 mg/day for seven and fifteen days were able to decrease Bax and Caspase3 expression in kidney cells following UVB irradiation. Even, the decreased in Bax and caspase3 expression were comparable to normal.