Apigenin (API) is a kind of important flavonoid present in temperate and tropical fruit and vegetables, especially the celery. It exerts anticancer, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation properties. In the present study, the mechanism of protective action of apigenin on 3-chloro-1, 2-propanediol (3-MCPD)-induced renal injury was investigated in rat. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into five groups: control group (ultrapure water treated), CMC group (sodium carboxymethylcellulose treated), 3-MCPD treatment group (30 mg/kg body weight/day), 3-MCPD plus API co-treatment group (20, 40 mg/kg body weight/day). The results showed that API significantly reduced renal function markers, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen content. Besides, the renal tissue lesion in 3-MCPD treatment group was restored by API to some extent. We indicated that API exerted renoprotective effect by modulating oxidative phosphorylation especially up-regulated the expressions of ATP6 and ATP8, re-establishing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), relieving the increase of Bax/Bcl2 ratio, reducing cytochrome c release, thus inhibiting the activation of Caspase 9 and Caspase 3. In conclusion, apigenin possesses excellent protective effect against 3-MCPD-induced renal injury by modulating mitochondria dependent Caspase cascade pathway.

芹菜素（API）是一种存在于温带和热带水果和蔬菜（尤其是芹菜）中的重要黄酮类化合物。它具有抗癌，抗菌，抗病毒，抗炎，抗氧化的特性。在本研究中，探讨了芹菜素对3-氯-1,2-丙二醇（3-MCPD）致肾损伤的保护作用机制。Sprague-Dawley（SD）大鼠分为五组：对照组（超纯水处理），CMC组（羧甲基纤维素钠处理），3-MCPD治疗组（30 mg / kg体重/天），3-MCPD加API联合治疗组（20、40 mg / kg体重/天）。结果表明，API显着降低了肾功能标志物，血清肌酐和尿素氮含量。此外，API对3-MCPD治疗组的肾组织病变有一定程度的修复作用。c释放，从而抑制Caspase 9和Caspase 3的激活。总之，芹菜素通过调节线粒体依赖性Caspase级联途径，对3-MCPD诱导的肾损伤具有优异的保护作用。