Preliminary study of the mechanism underlying how Jianshen granules ameliorate renal failure in 5/6 nephrectomy model rats

doi:10.5246/jcps.2023.04.027

Abstract

Abstract:

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a worldwide public health concern. At present, there are limited treatment options available. Jianshen granules, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, have been used clinically to treat CRF for many years in the Air Force Medical Center of PLA and have shown significant efficacy. In the present study, the effectiveness of Jianshen granules in treating CRF was investigated. A rat model of CRF was established by 5/6 nephrectomy. Rats in the sham model groups were given distilled water, while rats in Uremic Clearance Granule (UCG) group were given a gavage of 3.12 mg/g/d premixing solution. Low, medium, and high doses of Jianshen granule (JS-L, JS-M and JS-H) was given premixing solution once daily to rats with gavage of 0.96, 1.92 and 3.84 mg/g/d with continuous administration for 8 weeks. During the administration period, the physiological state of the rats was observed, and the biochemical parameters were measured and the weight changes were recorded every week. The pathology of the kidney tissues were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H.E.), and Masson’s staining. In addition, Western blot and quantitate real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 in renal tissue. Human kidney cells (HKC cells) were used to investigate the effects of Jianshen Granules on apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), whereas cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK 8) assay. The level of apoptosis, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca²⁺ levels were measured using a flow cytometry. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 in HKC cell. The results revealed that Jianshen granules could reduce the levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and 24 h urinary protein in CRF rats. Kidney histopathological examination showed that Jianshen granules had an ameliorative effect on renal injury. HKC cells were used to investigate the effects of Jianshen granules on apoptosis induced by H₂O₂. ROS and Ca²⁺ levels were decreased, whereas cell viability and the level of MMP were increased in Jianshen groups. Besides, Jianshen granules could reduce the level of TGF-β1. Jianshen granules can protect renal function and relieve the symptoms of renal failure in CRF rats.

Key words: Jianshen granules, 5/6 nephrectomy, Chronic renal failure, TGF-β1

Supporting:

Haiying Qiu, Mengdi Zhang, Haiyan Jia, Menglu Zhou, Hongjie Lu, Yan Wu. Preliminary study of the mechanism underlying how Jianshen granules ameliorate renal failure in 5/6 nephrectomy model rats[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023, 32(4): 302-316.

Figures/Tables 10

Table 1. Primers of renal tissue.

Table 2. Primers of HKC cells.

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