Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy Using Traditional Chinese Medicine

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. The mainstay of DN has been management of hyperglycemia, blood pressure and proteinuria using hypoglycemic agents, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. Application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for DN has received increasing attention due to its wide availability, low side-effects, proven therapeutic mechanisms and benefits. In this paper, we mainly focus on the recent studies of TCM including Tongxinluo, Chaihuang-Yishen granule, Shenyan Kangfu tablets, Danggui Buxue Tang, Gordon Euryale Seed, Cherokee Rose Fruit and Bawei Dihuang wan, and the effective components of TCM, including Astragalus and Astragalus polysaccharide. The aim of this study is to review the protection and treatment effect of TCM for treating DN in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Meanwhile, the possible mechanisms of major compounds and active crude drugs are also summarized.