In a rat model of doxorubicin-induced podocyte injury resulting in nephrotic syndrome, administration of the naturally occurring phenolic compound, curcumin, activated nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent genes and their proteins including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), inhibited the pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway and up-regulated expression of the podocyte structural protein, podocin [10]. The gene discussed is HMOX1; the disease is nephrotic syndrome.