Amelioration of diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice treated with tibetan medicine formula Siwei Jianghuang Decoction Powder extract

Abstract

Siwei Jianghuang Decoction Powder (SWJH) documented originally in the Four Medical Tantras-Blue Glaze exhibited beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) via combined synergistically action of multiple formula components including Curcumae longae Rhizoma, Berberidis dictyophyllae Cortex, Phyllanthi Fructus and Tribuli Fructus. This study investigated the effects of SWJH on DN in db/db mice and possible underlying mechanisms. The ten weeks old db/db mice treated with SWJH by intra-gastric administration once a day for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, body weight, water and food intake of mice were recorded. The level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured. Serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine microalbumin (UMAlb), serum uric acid (UA) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) were detected. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to test serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to test mRNA and protein expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), VEGF and TGF-β1 in kidney tissue. SWJH treatment significantly reduced the levels of FBG, Scr, BUN, UMAlb, UA and UAE and retarded renal fibrosis. SWJH treatment further significantly reduced serum TGF-β1 level and downregulated the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and TGF-β1 at both mRNA and protein levels. Principal component analysis and partial least squares regression and hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that SWJH treatment significantly ameliorated renal damage in DN mice. These consequences suggested that SWJH formulations were effective in the treatment of DN through regulating the HIF-1α, VEGF and TGF-β1 overexpression.

Uncovering the Mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus in the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Network Pharmacology

“…The research suggested that VEGFA could serve as biomarkers to identify the progression of DN and had higher expression in the plasma and urine of DN patients [34]. In addition, after treatment with medicine, not only FBG and Scr levels were decreased but also VEGF, HIF-1α, and TGF-β1 mRNA expression was downregulated in DN mice [35]. Meanwhile, NOS3, HIF-1α, and VEGFA play a crucial role in angiogenesis and endothelial cell proliferation.…”

Effects of resistance training and turmeric supplementation on reactive species marker stress in diabetic rats

“…On the other hand, the use of herbal medicines to promote glycemic and metabolic homeostasis in pathological conditions such as DM is becoming increasingly popular in the world’s population [ 24 ]. In this context, supplementation with turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.), in different ways, appears to act beneficially on glycemic control; these effects are partly due to an attenuation of insulin resistance and frequently encountered comorbidities in patients with diabetes [ 25 , 26 ]. Some authors suggest that these effects of turmeric are partly due to the high concentrations of curcumin that have antioxidant action [ 27 – 29 ].…”

The mechanism of mulberry leaves against renal tubular interstitial fibrosis through ERK1/2 signaling pathway was predicted by network pharmacology and validated in human tubular epithelial cells

“…However, these treatments have the same fatal disadvantage when taken the side effects into count. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a medical system of diagnosis and health care approaches, has achieved extraordinary results in the treatment of DN (Guang‐Dong, Chao‐Yuan, & Wen‐Peng, ; Lai et al, ) and could provide alternative choice for diabetes and its complications.…”