Investigation of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury using LC-HRMS and network pharmacology approaches in mixed Curcuma longa and Curcuma zedoaria extracts

Background: Cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of cancer therapy. Natural compounds, such as those found in Curcuma species, may exert protective effects through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. Aim: This study investigated the therapeutic mechanisms of combined Curcuma longa and Curcuma zedoaria extracts against cisplatin-induced kidney damage using UHPLC-HRMS and network pharmacology. Methods: An ethanolic extract was prepared and analyzed using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS to identify active compounds. The antioxidant capacity was assessed using the DPPH assay. Network pharmacology was used to predict compound-target interactions and identify key proteins involved in AKI pathways. Results: UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS analysis identified 40 bioactive compounds, among which 22 met the OB >30% threshold. Network analysis revealed 14 overlapping protein targets associated with AKI from 485 compound-related targets and 198 disease-related targets. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that key phytochemicals in C. longa and C. zedoaria may act on multiple protein targets implicated in AKI, highlighting their potential as multi-target therapeutics for kidney protection and future drug development. Published by Eldaghayes Publisher.

Keywords: Curcuma longa, Kidney damage, UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, Network pharmacology, Zedoaria.