Chemical characterization and pharmacological mechanisms of Qizhi Yishen Capsule in early diabetic kidney disease
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This research explored the bioactive components and therapeutic mechanisms of Qizhi Yishen Capsule (QZC) in managing early-stage diabetic kidney disease (DKD) by integrating network pharmacology with experimental evidence, aiming to support its clinical utility with scientific validation.
METHODS: Network pharmacology and molecular docking were utilized to identify QZC's potential targets in DKD treatment. The therapeutic impact of QZC on renal damage in DKD rats was assessed through in vivo tests, including serum biochemistry, histological staining, and transmission electron microscopy analysis.Potential mechanisms were further explored through metabolomics, in vitro experiments, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analysis.
RESULTS: The renal protective effects of QZC in DKD were predicted to be mediated via signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, AMPK, and MAPK, based on network pharmacology analysis. In vivo studies confirmed that QZC (509 mg·kg-1), in combination with metformin hydrochloride tablets (MET, 104 mg kg-1), significantly alleviated pathological renal injury and improved podocyte ultrastructure in DKD rats. Metabolomics analysis identified 420 candidate biomarkers, of which 157 were upregulated in the DKD model group and downregulated after QZC treatment, and 263 showed the opposite trend. These metabolites were mainly involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and the…
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