Intervention effects of Compound Houttuyniae Herba to diabetic renal damage based on SOCS-JAK/STAT negative feedback regulation

Abstract

ObjectiveTo research the protective effects of different extracts from Compound Houttuyniae Herba (CHH) and its mechanism through JAK/STAT-SOCS-1 signaling pathway. MethodsThe normal group comprised db/m mice (n = 8). db/db mice were randomly divided into seven groups with eight mice in each group according to the applied treatment method: model group, metformin hydrochloride (MH) group, AG490 group, water extract (WE) group, ethanol extract (EE) group, volatile oil (VO) group, and mixture (MG) group (mixture of above three extract) of CHH. After 8 weeks, the general status, biochemical indicators, and renal histological changes in the mice were evaluated, the total RNA and protein were collected and RT-PCR method was used to examine the effect on mRNA expression of JAK2, STAT3, SOCS1, and Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression of JAK2, P-JAK2, STAT3, P-STAT3, SOCS1, c-fos, and c-jun. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the protein expression of c-fos and c-jun in kidney tissue. ResultsCompared with normal group, the serum level of TGF-β1, FN of EE, VO, and MG groups were decreased (P < 0.05). Renal function was also improved but not significantly. Also, the renal histology was improved especially in the mixture group. The protein expression of JAK2, STAT3, P-JAK2, P-STAT3, and the genetic expression of JAK2 and STAT3 in kidney tissue were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of P-JAK2 and P-STAT3 was down-regulated in treatment groups; The expression of SOCS-1 of VO and mixture groups were elevated (P < 0.05). ConclusionCHH has beneficial effects on diabetic renal injury, which may protect and improve the kidney function and reduce urinary protein, maintain the integrity of the kidney structure and function.