The Potential of Huangqi Decoction for Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus that primarily affects the kidney microvasculature. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, early-stage DKD is characterized by deficiencies in essence and Qi and is often accompanied by spleen and kidney deficiencies. Huangqi decoction (HQD), a classic Chinese herbal formula with historical use in treating thirst-related ailments, is described in Shiyin Yang's Renzhai Zhizhi Fang Lun. This review aimed to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms, pharmacological effects, and key targets of HQD to establish a theoretical and scientific foundation for further research and clinical applications. The bioactive compounds and targets of HQD were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, and compound-target and protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape and BisoGent, respectively. A total of 172 bioactive compounds were identified in HQD. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses of the hub targets indicated associations between diverse biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. These findings signify a promising avenue for the development of evidence-based treatments for DKD by leveraging the potential of TCM to enhance patient outcomes.