Spirogyra neglecta (SN), commonly named "Tao" in Thai, is a genus of filamentous green macroalgae. SN contains polyphenols such as isoquercetin, catechin, hydroquinone and kaempferol. These constituents exhibit beneficial effects including anti-oxidant, anti-gastric ulcer, anti-hyperglycaemia and anti-hyperlipidaemia in both in vitro and in vivo models. Whether SN extract (SNE) has an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo remains unclear. This study examined the effect of SNE on renal function and renal organic transport in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal inflammation in rats. Rats were randomised and divided into normal saline (NS), NS supplemented with 1000 mg/kg body weight (BW) of SNE (NS + SNE), intraperitoneally injected with 12 mg/kg BW of LPS and LPS treated with 1000 mg/kg BW of SNE (LPS + SNE). Biochemical parameters in serum and urine, lipid peroxidation concentration, kidney function and renal organic anion and cation transports were determined. LPS-injected rats developed renal injury and inflammation by increasing urine microalbumin, total malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β protein expression, respectively. In addition, uptake of renal organic anion, [3H]-oestrone sulphate (ES), was reduced in LPS-injected rats together with increased expression of organic anion transporter 3 (Oat3). However, the renal injury and inflammation, as well as impaired Oat3 function and protein expression, were restored in LPS + SNE rats. Accordingly, SNE could be developed as nutraceutical product to prevent inflammation-induced nephrotoxicity.
Keywords: Spirogyra neglecta; anti-inflammatory effect; lipopolysaccharide; renal inflammation; renal organic antion transport.