Colquhounia Root Tablet Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing CD36 Expression In Vivo and In Vitro

Background/Aims. Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that Colquhounia root tablet (CRT) has the potential to alleviate diabetic nephropathy (DN); however, the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we report the effects of CRT administration on apoptosis and autophagy and attempt to el...

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Main Authors: Han Li, Baiju Wang, Changbao Wu, Dandan Xie, Jizhen Li, Na Wang, Hanwen Chen, Lei Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of Diabetes Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/4617653
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author Han Li
Baiju Wang
Changbao Wu
Dandan Xie
Jizhen Li
Na Wang
Hanwen Chen
Lei Liu
author_facet Han Li
Baiju Wang
Changbao Wu
Dandan Xie
Jizhen Li
Na Wang
Hanwen Chen
Lei Liu
author_sort Han Li
collection DOAJ
description Background/Aims. Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that Colquhounia root tablet (CRT) has the potential to alleviate diabetic nephropathy (DN); however, the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we report the effects of CRT administration on apoptosis and autophagy and attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Methods. Rat models of DN were established using streptozotocin (STZ). The primary metabolic parameters were assessed. The pathological changes of the rat kidney were investigated, and RNA sequencing was performed for each group. Renal tissue apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL assay. In rats and high glucose- (Hg-) induced HK-2 cells, RT-qPCR and western blot were used to analyze the expression of related genes and proteins. Hg medium was used to establish the diabetic kidney environment. The CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to assess cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate autophagy in vitro. Results. CRT treatment significantly reduced albuminuria and renal tissue damage in DN rats. Furthermore, CRT administration inhibited apoptosis and promoted autophagy in DN rat kidney tissues. CRT downregulated CD36 expression and activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in DN rat kidney tissues. CRT intervention inhibited Hg-induced apoptosis and reversed autophagy in HK-2 cells. Moreover, overexpression of CD36 suppressed the beneficial effects of CRT. Conclusions. Our study is the first to report that CRT inhibited apoptosis and promoted autophagy in vivo and in vitro, which was achieved by reducing CD36 expression and activating the AMPK pathway. Therefore, CRT may be an effective drug to treat DN.
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spelling doaj-art-d33536c92af348dfb5ec56b814e31f3a2025-08-20T03:24:12ZengWileyJournal of Diabetes Research2314-67532023-01-01202310.1155/2023/4617653Colquhounia Root Tablet Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing CD36 Expression In Vivo and In VitroHan Li0Baiju Wang1Changbao Wu2Dandan Xie3Jizhen Li4Na Wang5Hanwen Chen6Lei Liu7Department of Clinical MedicineDepartment of Clinical MedicineDepartment of Clinical MedicineDepartment of Clinical MedicineDepartment of CardiologyDepartment of General MedicineDepartment of General MedicineDepartment of General MedicineBackground/Aims. Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that Colquhounia root tablet (CRT) has the potential to alleviate diabetic nephropathy (DN); however, the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we report the effects of CRT administration on apoptosis and autophagy and attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Methods. Rat models of DN were established using streptozotocin (STZ). The primary metabolic parameters were assessed. The pathological changes of the rat kidney were investigated, and RNA sequencing was performed for each group. Renal tissue apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL assay. In rats and high glucose- (Hg-) induced HK-2 cells, RT-qPCR and western blot were used to analyze the expression of related genes and proteins. Hg medium was used to establish the diabetic kidney environment. The CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to assess cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate autophagy in vitro. Results. CRT treatment significantly reduced albuminuria and renal tissue damage in DN rats. Furthermore, CRT administration inhibited apoptosis and promoted autophagy in DN rat kidney tissues. CRT downregulated CD36 expression and activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in DN rat kidney tissues. CRT intervention inhibited Hg-induced apoptosis and reversed autophagy in HK-2 cells. Moreover, overexpression of CD36 suppressed the beneficial effects of CRT. Conclusions. Our study is the first to report that CRT inhibited apoptosis and promoted autophagy in vivo and in vitro, which was achieved by reducing CD36 expression and activating the AMPK pathway. Therefore, CRT may be an effective drug to treat DN.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/4617653
spellingShingle Han Li
Baiju Wang
Changbao Wu
Dandan Xie
Jizhen Li
Na Wang
Hanwen Chen
Lei Liu
Colquhounia Root Tablet Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing CD36 Expression In Vivo and In Vitro
Journal of Diabetes Research
title Colquhounia Root Tablet Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing CD36 Expression In Vivo and In Vitro
title_full Colquhounia Root Tablet Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing CD36 Expression In Vivo and In Vitro
title_fullStr Colquhounia Root Tablet Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing CD36 Expression In Vivo and In Vitro
title_full_unstemmed Colquhounia Root Tablet Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing CD36 Expression In Vivo and In Vitro
title_short Colquhounia Root Tablet Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing CD36 Expression In Vivo and In Vitro
title_sort colquhounia root tablet promotes autophagy and inhibits apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy by suppressing cd36 expression in vivo and in vitro
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/4617653
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