Evaluation of “Dream Herb,” Calea zacatechichi, for Nephrotoxicity Using Human Kidney Proximal Tubule Cells

Figure 3

Cellular stress induced by C. zacatechichi is indicated by a surge in ROS and a rapid shift toward MMP loss. HK-2 cells treated for 24 hours with C. zacatechichi (open circles), cisplatin (open squares), or valproic acid (filled circles) were assayed for cellular levels of (a) normalized mean average ROS levels (± SEM) as well as (b) changes in the relative amounts of mitochondria that undergo loss versus maintenance of membrane potential, calculated as a mean average (± SEM) ratio of fluorescence emission at 520 versus 590 nm. , cisplatin or valproic acid versus C. zacatechichi, .

(a)

(b)