Radix Astragali lowers kidney oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin

Abstract

Fluctuations in glucose levels in diabetic patients can result in oxidative stress, resulting in an increased risk for diabetic complications. We investigated whether antioxidation would protect the kidney from oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin and provide evidence for the efficacy of antioxidant treatment in diabetes management. Diabetes was induced by injection of Streptozotocin intraperitoneally in male Wistar rats. Diabetic rats received either insulin, both insulin and Radix Astragali (RA), RA, or no treatment. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in kidney were determined. The changes of blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored. The levels of serum creatinine (Scr) were determined. The expression of PKCα was determined by western blot. NF-κB activation in kidney was assessed using EMSA. Compared to diabetic rats treated with insulin alone, the diabetic rats treated with combination of insulin and RA showed: (1) significantly lower levels of MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, and Scr (p < 0.05); (2) significantly higher SOD and GSH-Px activities (p < 0.05); (3) significantly lower NF-κB activation and lower expression levels of PKCα (p < 0.05); (4) significantly smaller kidney-to-body weight ratio (p < 0.05). RA is an effective agent in lowering oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin. Antioxidation is beneficial in reducing the risk of kidney damage due to oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

In Vitro Evidence for the Use of Astragali Radix Extracts as Adjuvant against Oxaliplatin-Induced Neurotoxicity

“…The dried root freed from rootlets and rootstock represents the herbal drug with a minimum content of 0.040 % of the characteristic constituent Astragaloside IV [6,7]. Astragali radix has antioxidant properties highlighted for the total extract [8,9] as well as for the main constituents, polysaccharides [10,11] and other characteristic compounds, namely saponins [12] and flavonoids [13]. Significant cytoprotective properties have been related to the antioxidant activity of the herbal drug [14,15].…”

Chinese medicine for diabetic kidney disease in China

“…In vivo and in vitro studies have explored its active compounds and their effects. Astragalus appears to protect the kidney from oxidative stress and rebalance TGF‐β/Smad signalling in diabetic rats. Astragaloside IV, a major active component in Astragalus, is considered to have a potent antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects, as well as endoplasmic‐reticulum‐stress‐induced inhibitory activity, which may suppress mesangial cell proliferation and glomerular contractile dysfunction.…”

Systematic screening and characterization of astragalosides in an oral solution of Radix Astragali by liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and Peakview software

“…Radix Astragali (RA), one of the most famous HMs named as Huangqi in Chinese, has been used for over 2000 years in China for its vital energy tonifying, skin‐reinforcing, diuretic, abscess‐draining, and tissue generative actions (Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2010 Edition). Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that RA possesses various biological activities including anticancer , antioxidative , immunomodulation , and cardiovascular protection . Chemical and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that astragalosides, flavonoids, and polysaccharides are the main active constituents of RA .…”