• Kaempferol reduces serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and improves disc degeneration pathology in a rat model.
• In vitro, kaempferol protects nucleus pulposus cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress by enhancing cell viability and type II collagen expression.
• Kaempferol upregulates mitophagy markers (PINK1, Parkin, LC3-II/LC3-I) and reduces reactive oxygen species levels.
• The protective effects of kaempferol are reversed by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, confirming the role of mitophagy.
• Kaempferol may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for intervertebral disc degeneration by modulating mitophagy.