Li Y, Wang LL, Yu XZ, Xie S, Li PF, Huang Y, Bao PL. Curcumin attenuates high glucose-induced apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells by enhancing the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 antioxidant pathway. World J Nephrol 2026; 15(3): 119984 [DOI: 10.5527/wjn.119984]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Pei-Ling Bao, FACC, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Nephrology, Xiaogan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, No. 6 Square Street, Xiaogan 432000, Hubei Province, China. bpltg2023@126.com
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Urology & Nephrology
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Li Y, Wang LL, Yu XZ, Xie S, Li PF, Huang Y, Bao PL. Curcumin attenuates high glucose-induced apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells by enhancing the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 antioxidant pathway. World J Nephrol 2026; 15(3): 119984 [DOI: 10.5527/wjn.119984]
World J Nephrol. Sep 25, 2026; 15(3): 119984 Published online Sep 25, 2026. doi: 10.5527/wjn.119984
Curcumin attenuates high glucose-induced apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells by enhancing the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 antioxidant pathway
Yu Li, Lu-Lu Wang, Xiang-Zhi Yu, Sai Xie, Peng-Fei Li, Yang Huang, Pei-Ling Bao
Yu Li, Sai Xie, Yang Huang, Pei-Ling Bao, Department of Nephrology, Xiaogan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Xiaogan 432000, Hubei Province, China
Lu-Lu Wang, Xiang-Zhi Yu, Department of Nephrology, Wuhan University of Science and Technology School of Medicine, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, China
Peng-Fei Li, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiaogan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Xiaogan 432000, Hubei Province, China
Author contributions: Li Y, Wang LL, and Yu XZ contributed to data curation, investigation, validation, and writing of the original draft; Xie S contributed to formal analysis; Li PF and Huang Y contributed to data curation, methodology, and visualization; Bao PL contributed to conceptualization, project administration, resources, supervision, and manuscript review & editing; and all of the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, No. 2024AFB827.
Institutional animal care and use committee statement: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Xiaogan Central Hospital (Ethical approval code: KY-20240710). All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
ARRIVE guidelines statement: The authors have read the ARRIVE guidelines, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the ARRIVE guidelines.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Corresponding author: Pei-Ling Bao, FACC, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Nephrology, Xiaogan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, No. 6 Square Street, Xiaogan 432000, Hubei Province, China. bpltg2023@126.com
Received: February 12, 2026 Revised: March 20, 2026 Accepted: April 7, 2026 Published online: September 25, 2026 Processing time: 182 Days and 21.7 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication that arises from diabetes. Curcumin, a bioactive compound with antioxidant properties, has been shown to modulate multiple cellular pathways and thereby mitigate tissue damage.
AIM
To explore the influence of curcumin on high glucose-triggered apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells.
METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, diabetic, and curcumin treatment groups (n = 10/group). Renal function markers (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, KIM-1, and urinary albumin) were assessed, and renal tissues were analyzed using histopathology, TUNEL assays, and immunohistochemistry. Renal tubular epithelial cells were cultured under normal (5.5 mmol/L) or high glucose (30 mmol/L) conditions, with or without curcumin. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway markers were evaluated using flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS
Curcumin improved renal function markers and reduced renal tubular apoptosis in diabetic rats. In vitro, it suppressed high glucose-induced apoptosis and ROS production, while activating the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway (upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, and downregulated Keap1) and modulating the Bcl-2/Bax apoptotic balance (downregulated Bax and upregulated Bcl-2), demonstrating sequential protection against oxidative stress followed by apoptosis inhibition.
CONCLUSION
Curcumin protects against high glucose–induced renal tubular epithelial apoptosis by enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 signaling to reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis, indicating its therapeutic potential for DN.
Core Tip: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease. Oxidative stress-mediated renal tubular damage plays a significant role in the occurrence and progression of DN. Curcumin, a traditional Chinese medicinal component with antioxidant properties, may have therapeutic effects in the treatment of DN. Through in vivo and in vitro experiments, this study demonstrated that curcumin can inhibit renal tubular cell apoptosis in a high-sugar environment by enhancing the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway, thereby providing renal protection.
