Improvement of nephrotic syndrome by Banggihwanggitang.

Abstract

Nephrotic syndrome is associated with altered renal handling of sodium along with changes of renal epithelial Na channel (ENaC), leading to the development of edema and ascites.The dried sclerotia of Banggihwanggitang (BHT) has been used for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of BHT on puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)‐induced renal functional derangement and the change of ENaC expression. The nephrotic syndrome animal models were constructed by PAN 75 mg/kg injection and then were treated with losartan (30 mg/kg/day) or BHT (200 mg/kg/day) for 7 days. Consequently, BHT group was significantly improved the proteinuria and ascites. In addition, the plasma level of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol were significantly decreased in BHT. Besides, BHT group attenuated the PAN‐induced increase in ENaC protein expression. BHT was significantly suppressed PAN‐induced organic osmolytes regulator such as serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐inducible protein kinase (Sgk1), and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNA expression.Taken together, BHT improve nephrotic syndrome including proteinuria and ascites, through inhibition of ENaC. Thus, Banggihwanggitang is involved in the body‐fluid regulation via inhibition of water and sodium channels against renal disorder such as edema or nephrosis.