Nephro-protective effect of Kangqianling decoction on chronic renal failure rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Kangqianling decoction (KQL), the modified formulation of a classical Chinese prescription named Taohongsiwu decoction, was clinically employed to treat renal fibrosis in chronic renal failure. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study was designed to examine whether KQL has a protective effect on renal function in association with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), angiotensin II (Ang II), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in rats with 5/6 renal ablation (Nx)-induced chronic renal failure. RESULTS In renal function deterioration progression, the high expression of serum creatinine (Scr), 24-h urine protein and systolic blood pressure were markedly (P<0.05 or P<0.01) restored by KQL, respectively, at 4 and 8 weeks. The increasing expressions of renal Ang II (P<0.05), angiotensin II1-receptor (AT1R) (P<0.05), TNF-alpha (P<0.05), NF-kappaB (P<0.001) and urine TGF-beta1 (P<0.05) were reduced by the treatment of KQL. Immunohistochemical study further confirmed the nephro-protective activity of KQL as compared to the control and Sham group. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that KQL is able to protect renal function via ameliorating experimental rat renal failure as found in these renal functional parameters.