Cirsilineol Protects Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells from Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury by Inhibiting Inflammation and Pyroptosis

To investigate the effects of Cirsilineol on cell viability, pyroptosis, and inflammation in hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced renal tubular cells, we utilized the renal tubular epithelial cell line HK2. The in vitro renal injury model was induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation. Cell viability in hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced HK2 cells was determined using a methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and lactate dehydrogenase releasing kit. The effects of Cirsilineol on inflammation and pyroptosis in HK2 cells were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and immunoblot assays. Our results demonstrated that Cirsilineol promoted survival in hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced tubular cells, inhibited inflammation, and reduced pyroptosis in these cells. Further investigation revealed that the protective effects of Cirsilineol are mediated by the suppression of the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B pathway, which mitigates the cellular response to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Our study suggests that Cirsilineol protects renal tubular epithelial cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by inhibiting inflammation and pyroptosis, highlighting its potential therapeutic value in renal conditions characterized by ischemic injury.