Water extract of the root of Lindera strychnifolia slows down the progression of diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice.
We examined a possible preventive effect of Linderae radix (LR), the root of Lindera strychnifolia, on the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Water extract of Linderae radix (LR extract) was orally administered to the C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice, a model of genetic diabetes, at a dose of 730 mg/kg/day for 12 week. The LR extract treatment did not affect glucose metabolism and systolic pressure. However, it resulted in a better renal function as evaluated by creatinine clearance (Ccr) and serum creatinine than the control; Ccr and serum creatinine were progressively worsened in controls (0.13+/-0.01 (l/day) and 0.69+/-0.04 (mg/dl), respectively) whereas unchanged in the treated group (0.24+/-0.03 (l/day), p<0.05 and 0.53+/-0.04 (mg/dl), p<0.05, respectively). Kidneys of the LR extract-treated group showed glomeruli with greater area and cell population, smaller glomerular sclerotic index, and less fibrosis in glomeruli, where apoptotic rate of glomerular cells were decreased compared with the control kidneys. Furthermore, renal TGF-beta(1) expression was decreased in the LR extract-treated group. These findings suggest that the LR therapy can be a novel therapeutic approach against diabetic nephropathy.
Ohno
Takamasa
T
Department of Oriental Medicine, Gifu University School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan.
Takemura
Genzou
G
Murata
Ichijiro
I
Kagawa
Tomoyo
T
Akao
Seigo
S
Minatoguchi
Shinya
S
Fujiwara
Takako
T
Fujiwara
Hisayoshi
H
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D027443:Lindera / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta