Effect of Shenkang granules on the progression of chronic renal failure in 5/6 nephrectomized rats

Abstract

Abstract. Shenkang granules (SKGs) are a Chinese herbal medicinal formula, consisting of rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.), Salvia miltiorrhiza, milkvetch root [Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge] and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SKG on chronic renal failure (CRF) in 5/6 nephrectomized (5/6 Nx) rats. The rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=10 per group) as follows: (i) 5/6 Nx (model group; 2.25 ml/kg/day normal saline); (ii) SKGL (low dose; 5/6 Nx treated with 2 g crude drug/kg/day SKG); (iii) SKGM (moderate dose; 5/6 Nx treated with 4 g crude drug/kg/day SKG); (iv) SKGH (high dose; 5/6 Nx treated with 8 g crude drug/kg/day SKG); (v) benazepril treatment group (5/6 Nx treated with 5 mg/kg/day benazepril); (vi) Shenkang injection (SKI) group (5/6 Nx with 13.3 ml/kg/day SKI); and (vii) sham-operated group (2.25 ml/kg/day normal saline). After 30 days, the levels of microalbumin, total protein, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and serum lipid were found to be significantly decreased in the SKGL and SKGM rats, showing histological improvement compared with the untreated 5/6 Nx rats, as determined by hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson's trichrome staining. In addition, SKG was found to significantly improve the levels of glutathione peroxidase and reduce the damage caused by free radicals to the kidney tissues. Furthermore, SKG prevented the accumulation of extracellular matrix by decreasing the expression of collagen I and III and inhibiting the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 in the renal tissue, as determined by western blot analysis. SKG was also shown to decrease the concentrations of serum transforming growth factor-β 1 , as determined by ELISA, and kidney angiotensin II, as determined using a radioimmunoassay kit. In conclusion, SKG was demonstrated to ameliorate renal injury in a 5/6 Nx rat model of CRF. Thus, SKG may exert a good therapeutic effect on CRF.

Shen-Kang protects against tacrolimus-induced renal injury

“…However, the molecular mechanism underlying the renoprotective effect of SK is rarely explored. In recent reports, SK has been found to protect against renal injury in animal models of 5/6 nephrectomy and STZ-induced DN through its antioxidant and antifibrotic potential [9,10]. In this study, we showed antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of SK in TAC-induced renal injury.…”

“…There is overwhelming evidence demonstrating that, through its antifibrotic and antioxidant potential, SK can effectively preserve renal proximal tubule epithelial cell (HK-2 cell) viability, inhibit high-glucose-induced proliferation of renal mesangial cells, and protect against renal lesions [6-8]. The renoprotective effects of SK have also been reported in 5/6 nephrectomy [6,9], streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) [10], and spontaneously hypertensive nephropathy [11]. However, the beneficial effects of SK on TAC-induced nephropathy remain to be explored.…”

Quercetin suppresses glomerulosclerosis and TGF‑β signaling in a rat model

“…The main experimental manifestations of these mice were proteinuria, hyperlipidemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoxemia and renal hypofunction (18,19). Accordingly, certain biochemical indices of the mice were altered, such as increased SCr, BUN, TG and UTP (20). In the present study, the associated biochemical indices (SCr, BUN, TC, TG, UTP, TP and Alb) were examined following establishment of the rat model, and the results agreed with those of previous reports (20,21).…”

“…Accordingly, certain biochemical indices of the mice were altered, such as increased SCr, BUN, TG and UTP (20). In the present study, the associated biochemical indices (SCr, BUN, TC, TG, UTP, TP and Alb) were examined following establishment of the rat model, and the results agreed with those of previous reports (20,21). Together with the examination of general appearance and pathological sections of the mice, these results indicated that the renal system of rats in the GS group had swelling and fibrosis, their functions were severely impaired, and absorption and filtration capabilities were weakened.…”

<p>Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Research of Shenkang Injection in Rats Based on UHPLC-MS/MS and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS</p>

“…1 Current clinical studies have demonstrated that SK injection could simultaneously reduce the levels of serum creatinine (Scr), total protein (U-TP), microalbumin (mALB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and increase the creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), nitric oxide (NO), albumin (Alb) serum levels, and then improve the clinical symptoms and delay the progress in patients. 2 Our previous chemical profile and quality analysis researches had found that SK injection contains gallic acid, danshensu, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid A, aloeemodin, rhein and emodin, which were considered as the main bioactive compounds. 3,4 However, up to now, many studies paid close attention to the pharmacological and chemical research of SK injection, but its pharmacokinetic behaviors and metabolism profiling are absent.…”