aristolochic acid a

Aristolochic acid A is the main component of the plant extract aristolochic acids, primarily found in the herbaceous plants Aristolochia and Asarum. It significantly inhibits the activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and NF-κB, and downregulates the expression of the bladder cancer-associated BLCAP gene in human cells. It is commonly used to induce nephrotoxicity models.

Sodium aristolate 1, also known as aristolochic acid sodium salt, is found in certain Chinese herbal medicines and causes nephrotoxicity. This proagent becomes active when its nitro groups are reduced to amines, which subsequently leads to the production of cytotoxic DNA adducts.