The main medicinal property of garlic is mostly attributed to its organosulfur compounds, of which the oil-soluble diallyl disulfide (DADS) is the principal component of distilled garlic oil. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an important cellular regulator in response to oxidative stress. This study assessed the possible protective effect of DADS on doxorubicin (Dox)-induced nephrotoxicity and its potential regulation of the Nrf2 pathway. Treatment with DADS (200 μM) induced heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) expression in a human proximal tubular cell line. The induction of HO-1 expression was suppressed in Nrf2-silenced cells. On an animal study, pretreatment with DADS relieved Dox-induced albuminuria, increased catalase activity, and reduced the urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine level. On addition, DADS ameliorated the severity of glomerulosclerosis and suppressed expressions of fibrotic and inflammatory gene expressions. Our data indicate that DADS, a major component of garlic, showed protective effects of preventing the progression of Dox-induced nephropathy through enhancing Nrf2-mediated antioxidant activity. DADS, a normal constituent of the human diet, merits investigation as a potential antioxidant daily food supplement against free radical-mediated chronic diseases.

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