Aim:
Aims: to evaluate nephroprotective effects of Silibinin in renal ischemia -reperfusion injury in rats by regulation of Notch-1 and Jagged-1.

Material and methods:
Materials and Methods: 28 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups, (seven rats / group): sham group (laparotomy only), control group (ischemia for 30 min /2 hrs. reperfusion, ), DMSO vehicle group (rats were injected intraperitoneally with 10% DMSO 1 hour before ischemia , then renal ischemia 30 minutes / two hours of reperfusion), Silibinin treatment group (rats were injected with Silibinin (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 1 hour before ischemia, then renal ischemia 30 minutes / two hours of reperfusion). The kidneys were harvested after 2 hours of reperfusion for assessment of kidney injury molecule-1, interleukin 1 β, TNF α, F2 Isoprostane, and glutathione by ELISA technique, Notch-1 and Jagged-1 mRNA levels were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, BAX and Bcl2 protein expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results:
Results: Silibinin demonstrated considerable amelioration of renal ischemia reperfusion injury as evidenced by the significant reduction of kidney injury molecule-1 , interleukin 1 β , TNF α, F2 Isoprostane, in rat kidneys pretreated with Silibinin, glutathione level was significantly elevated in rat kidneys pretreated with silibinin. Furthermore silibinin pretreatment significantly reduced Notch-1 and Jagged-1 mRNA expression after renal ischemia reperfusion.

Conclusions:
Conclusion: Silibinin offers protection against renal ischemia reperfusion injury due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, those effects are associated with the downregulation of Notch-1 and its ligand, Jagged-1.