Orientin protects podocytes from high glucose induced apoptosis through mitophagy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the serious complications of diabetes mellitus. Orientin, a major bioactive constituent of Fenugreek, has been reported to possess antihyperglycemic properties. However, its effects on DN remain unclear. Therefore, we explored the protective effect of orientin on podocytes. Here, we assessed cell viability and toxicity, level of autophagy, mitochondrial morphological changes, and podocyte apoptosis. The results indicated that high glucose (HG) induced podocyte apoptosis as well as mitochondrial injury can be partially blocked by orientin. The results showed that orientin could repair autophagy disorder induced by HG, while 3-methyladenine (3-MA) reversed the protection of orientin. Our study demonstrated the possibility of treating DN with orientin.