Jiawei Shengjiangsan’s Effect on Renal Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy Mice is Investigated via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Chenhua Yang,1 Fengling Huang,2 Huiqin Fang,3 Yunhua Zang1 1General Medicine, Bao’an Authentic TCM Therapy Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China; 3The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yunhua Zang, Bao’an Authentic TCM Therapy Hospital, No. 99, Lai’an Road, Xixiang Street, Bao’an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518101, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: This study aimed to investigate the intervention mechanism of Jiawei Shengjiangsan (JWSJS) on kidney injury in diabetic nephropathy mice.Methods: Thirty 8-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into five groups: model group, Perindopril group, and JWSJS low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (n=6 per group) based on body weight. Additionally, a blank control group was established consisting of 6 db/m mice aged 8 weeks. The blank and model groups received daily intragastric administration of 7g/kg/d pure water. The remaining groups were assigned to JWSJS low (3.5g/kg/d), medium (7g/kg/d), high (14g/kg/d) dosage groups, and perindopril positive control group (0.48mg/kg/d) for 12 weeks. Post-experiment, serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were analyzed using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured 24-hour urinary albumin, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), TNF-α, IL-1β, VCAM-1, MCP-1, and HbA1c. Western blot assessed the protein expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-NF-κB p65, while pathological kidney changes were observed.Results: Compared to the blank group, the model group exhibited increased SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary albumin, serum NGAL, TNF-α, IL-1β, VCAM-1, MCP-1, HbA1c, p-PI3K, and p-Akt, alongside increased p-NF-κB p65 expression, indicating significant kidney pathology. After treatment, the JWSJS group showed decreased SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary microalbumin, NGAL, HbA1c, TNF-α, IL-1β, VCAM-1, MCP-1 levels, increased p-PI3K and p-Akt expression (P< 0.05), and reduced p-NF-κB p65 content (P< 0.05). Histopathological analysis revealed that JWSJS ameliorated renal tubular epithelial cell damage, glomerular capillary and basement membrane injuries, and facilitated the repair of damaged podocytes in diabetic nephropathy mice.Conclusion: JWSJS demonstrated efficacy in reducing renal inflammation in diabetic nephropathy mice, with its mechanism likely associated with the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.Keywords: Jiawei Shengjiangsan, diabetic nephropathy, PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, db/db mice, inflammation

Keywords

• jiawei shengjiangsan
• diabetic nephropathy
• pi3k/akt/nf-κb signaling pathway
• db/db mice
• inflammation.