Inhibition mechanism of compound ethanol extracts from Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) on renal interstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy model mice

To evaluate inhibition effect and mechanism of compound ethanol extracts from Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) and Muli (Cocha Ostreae) (FRC) on glomerular and tubular interstitial fibrosis in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (ND) model mice. Twenty-seven male C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into 3 groups: nondibetic (ND), STZ-induced diabetic (D), and STZ-induced diabetic that were treated with 5 g · kg−1 · day−1of FRC by oral gavage (DFRC), with 9 in each group. The protein expressions of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in renal tissues were investigated by Western blotting. The expressions of fibronectin (FN) and α-SMA were detected by immunohistochemical method. The morphological changes of renal tissues were observed under a microscope. Renal tissues in the DFRC group showed a lessened degree of fibrosis. Meanwhile, the expressions of FN, α-SMA and PAI-1 were significantly lower in the DFRC group than those in the D group (all P<0.05). FRC can ameliorate the DN in the C57BL/6 mice, and its mechanism may relate to inhibition on the epithelial to mesenchymal transdifferentiation, endothelial-myofibroblast transition and PAI-1 expression.