TNF and injury: <h4>Introduction</h4>Rhein, an anthraquinone derived from rhubarb, exhibits renoprotective effects in aging and kidney injury; however, the mechanistic interplay with TNF-α-mediated cell death pathways remains undefined.<h4>Methods</h4>Using D-galactose (D-gal)-treated NRK-52E cells and aged rats, we assessed rhein's effects with/without mTOR regulators (rapamycin/MHY1485) or etanercept (TNF-α inhibitor).