Dianthus superbus Improves Glomerular Fibrosis and Renal Dysfunction in Diabetic Nephropathy Model

Abstract

Glomerular fibrosis is caused by an accumulation of intercellular spaces containing mesangial matrix proteins through either diffused or nodular changes. Dianthus superbus has been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, a contraceptive, and an anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Dianthus superbus-EtOAc soluble fraction (DS-EA) on glomerular fibrosis and renal dysfunction, which has been implicated in diabetic nephropathy in human renal mesangial cells and db/db mice. DS-EA was administered to db/db mice at 10 or 50 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. DS-EA treatment significantly ameliorated blood glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, and HbA1c in diabetic mice. DS-EA decreased albumin excretion, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and plasma creatinine levels. DS-EA also ameliorated the levels of kidney injury molecules-1 (KIM-1) and C-reactive protein. DS-EA reduced the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining intensity and basement membrane thickening in glomeruli of the diabetic nephropathy model. In addition, DS-EA suppressed transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling. Collagen type IV, a glomerular fibrosis biomarker, was significantly decreased upon DS-EA administration. DS-EA pretreatment attenuated levels of inflammation factors such as intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). DS-EA inhibited the translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in Angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated mesangial cells. These findings suggest that DS-EA has a protective effect against renal inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, DS-EA may serve as a potential therapeutic agent targeting glomerulonephritis and glomerulosclerosis, which lead to diabetic nephropathy.

Sauchinone Protects Renal Mesangial Cell Dysfunction against Angiotensin II by Improving Renal Fibrosis and Inflammation

“…The results of the present study suggested that fibronectin, ColIV, and CTGF may be involved in the ECM-synthesizing process, and that their AngII-induced protein and mRNA expression were decreased following treatment with sauchinone. We recently reported that HG or AngII induces mesangial cell fibrosis by activation of TGF-β/Smad signaling [ 39 ]. We have now shown that sauchinone inhibited the elevated expression of TGF-β and Smad2/3 phosphorylation under AngII conditions.…”

Genetic Diversity ofDianthusPlants Revealed by SRAP Markers

“…Dianthus plumarius L. is an important environmental protection and greening plant, because of its strong reproductive capacity and rapid growth speed which can effectively prevent soil erosion and soil erosion [4][5][6]. Dianthus chinensis L. and Dianthus Superbus L. are used as herbal medicine for its function of reducing fever and diuresis, and also as insecticidal pesticides [7][8][9]. Dianthus barbatus L. is also an important source of cut flowers and a greening plant.…”

Renal Benefits of SGLT 2 Inhibitors and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Evidence Supporting a Paradigm Shift in the Medical Management of Type 2 Diabetes

“…In its classic definition DN is defined as increased protein excretion in urine [8]. Major representations of diabetes in renal disease include persistent albuminuria, loss of podocytes, glomerular hypertrophy, matrix expansion, and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane [9,10]. The first stages of DN are characterized by microalbuminuria, a small increase in albumin excretion in urine [11,12,13].…”