Protective Effects of Bu‐Shen‐Huo‐Xue Formula against 5/6 Nephrectomy‐Induced Chronic Renal Failure in Rats

Abstract

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a serious disease related to increasing incidence and prevalence as well as decline in quality of life. Bu-Shen-Huo-Xue formula (BSHX), one of traditional herbal formulations, has been clinically employed to treat CRF for decades, but the mechanisms involved have not been investigated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BSHX on some closely related parameters in 5/6 nephrectomy CRF rats. Rats with CRF were divided into five groups, namely, one control group, one enalapril group, and three BSHX treatment groups (0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg·d). The rats subjected to sham operation were used as a normal control. After eight weeks of treatment, BSHX significantly decreased the levels of Scr and BUN, downregulated the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β 1, CTGF, NF-κB, TNF-α, and OPN, upregulated the mRNA expression of PPARγ, and reduced in situ expression of fibronectin and laminins. Histological findings also showed significant amelioration of the damaged renal tissue. BSHX protects 5/6 nephrectomy rats against chronic renal failure probably via regulating the expression of TNF-α, NF-κB, TGF-β 1, CTGF, PPARγ, OPN, fibronectin, and laminins and is useful for therapy of CRF.

ShenKang injection suppresses kidney fibrosis and oxidative stress via transforming growth factor-β/Smad3 signalling pathway in vivo and in vitro

“…Although a lot of researches have been made to better understand the pathogenesis of CKD, there are no good drugs for treatment of these kinds of diseases. In China, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is used for the treatment of CKD and its complications, [13] which can be developed into the new therapeutic agents. ShenKang injection (SKI), a Chinese Material Medica-standardized product extracted from Rhubarb, Astragalus, Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and Carthami Flos, is formulated base on TCM theory and widely applied in clinical treatment of CKD.…”

Astragalus polysaccharide, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, inhibits muscle cell atrophy (cachexia) in an in vivo and in vitro rat model of chronic renal failure by activating the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway

“…Other studies have reported that traditional Chinese medicine have beneficial effect on treating CRF (19,20). Li et al (21) reported that icariin-treated human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells could improve kidney function via reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative damage in CRF rats.…”

“…The results of the current study indicated that APS, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, may protect muscle cells in vivo and in vitro from atrophy associated with CRF (cachexia). Other studies have reported that traditional Chinese medicine have beneficial effect on treating CRF ( 19 , 20 ). Li et al ( 21 ) reported that icariin-treated human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells could improve kidney function via reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative damage in CRF rats.…”

Shen-Kang protects 5/6 nephrectomized rats against renal injury by reducing oxidative stress through the MAPK signaling pathways

“…The 5/6 nephrectomized rat model, involving unilateral nephrectomy and either partial infarction or amputation of the poles of the remaining kidney, represents the primary option for the investigation of CKD ( 4 , 33 , 34 ). Lu et al reported kidney dysfunction, with significantly elevated BUN and SCr levels and histopathological changes (glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis) in a 5/6 nephrectomized rat model ( 34 ). The 5/6 nephrectomized model of CKD has demonstrable clinical relevance ( 5 , 35 , 64 , 65 ).…”

“…Each rat was anesthetized with chloral hydrate solution (33 mg/100 g) via intraperitoneal injection. A total of 18 rats was subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) in which, the upper and lower poles of the left kidney and the entire right kidney were removed, as previousy described ( 5 , 34 , 35 ). A sham operation was performed on 6 additional rats as a non-Nx control (sham-operated) group.…”