Renal Protective Effect of Bupleurum Decoction and Minor Bupleurum Decoction Concentrated Powders on Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Renal Protective Effect of Bupleurum Decoction and Minor Bupleurum Decoction Concentrated Powders on Type 2 Diabetic Mice

This study determines the reno-protective effect of two concentrated scientific herbal formulations, BD and MBD, in a type 2 diabetic (T2D) mouse model, which is established using low-dose streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) and administration of a high-fat diet. Mice receive either a high- or low-dose BD (133 mg/kg and 66.5 mg/kg), a high- or low-dose MBD (133 mg/kg and 66.5 mg/kg), saline (diabetic group), or metformin (250 mg/kg) as a positive control. A non-diabetic control group is maintained on a standard diet. Treatments are administered five times per week for 15-weeks. Biochemical parameters including blood glucose, HbA1c, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) are monitored at 5-week intervals. By week 10, the high-dose BD and MBD groups exhibit significantly lower BUN and Scr levels than the diabetic group (P < 0.01). Treatment with BD and MBD significantly reduces the kidney index and urinary albumin excretion (P < 0.01), so there is reduced renal hypertrophy. Histological assessments show amelioration of mesangial expansion and tubular dilation in BD- and MBD-treated mice, and diminished collagen deposition, as evidenced by Masson’s trichrome staining. These results show that BD and MBD formulations exert a reno-protective effect in T2D mice, primarily via mitigation of renal fibrosis and functional improvement. However, their impact on glycemic control is limited for the tested conditions. Overall, the results provide new conceptual and preclinical support for the therapeutic application of BD and MBD for diabetic kidney disease.