Efficacy of Cortex Mori–Liuwei Dihuang Nanoparticle Pills on Renal Interstitial Fibrosis via TGF-β/Smad Signaling

Abstract

Cortex Mori and Liuwei Dihuang nanoparticle pills nourish Qi and Yin; clear heat; treat diabetes; and promote body fluids, kidney toning, and astringent functions. These are herbal treatments associated with the mechanisms involved in nephrosis, such as the promotion of insulin secretion and enhancement of glucose use in the body via the cooked land, Cornus, or Poria. Ling and yam reduce blood sugar. Alisma orientalis and peony bark inhibit fat accumulation and blood coagulation and also show antithrombotic action. This study investigated the effects of Cortex Mori and Liuwei Dihuang nanoparticle pills on renal interstitial fibrosis and the TGF-β1/Smads signaling in adenineinduced Wistar rats with renal interstitial fibrosis. The expression of TGF-β1and Smad-2/3 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The tested nanoparticle pills significantly reduced the area of renal interstitial fibrosis in treated rats compared with that in control rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the pills significantly reduced the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in renal tissue of treated rats compared with that in the renal of control rats. Thus, Cortex Mori–Liuwei Dihuang nanoparticle pills may affect the mechanism that delays renal interstitial fibrosis via reducing the protein expression of Smad-2/3 and TGF-β1 and inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad singling.