Xianling Gubao Capsule Prevents Cadmium-Induced Kidney Injury

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Xianling Gubao Capsule (XGC) is an approved Chinese herbal medicine for bone health.
• The therapeutic effects of XGC on kidney injury remain largely uninvestigated.
• Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) is a known nephrotoxic agent used to induce kidney injury models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of Xianling Gubao Capsule (XGC) against cadmium-induced kidney injury.
• To evaluate the impact of XGC on biochemical and histopathological markers of kidney damage.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms, including mTOR signaling and autophagy, involved in XGC's renoprotective effects.

Main Methods:

• A mouse model of kidney injury was established using intraperitoneal injection of cadmium chloride (CdCl2).
• Mice were pre-treated with XGC orally for 10 days before CdCl2 administration and continued for 4 weeks.
• Kidney injury was assessed by measuring serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), histopathology (HE staining), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and RT-qPCR for p-mTOR and LC3II/LC3I.
• Control groups received distilled water.

Main Results:

• CdCl2 administration significantly elevated serum BUN and Cr levels and induced pathological changes like tubule edema, congestion, and necrosis.
• Oral administration of XGC markedly reduced serum BUN and Cr levels.
• XGC treatment prevented and protected against CdCl2-induced renal pathological damage.
• XGC significantly decreased p-mTOR protein expression and increased the ratio of LC3II/LC3I protein and mRNA, indicating modulation of autophagy.

Conclusions:

• Xianling Gubao Capsule (XGC) demonstrates significant protective effects against cadmium-induced kidney injury in mice.
• XGC mitigates renal damage by reducing serum markers (BUN, Cr) and improving histopathological outcomes.
• The renoprotective mechanism of XGC may involve the regulation of mTOR signaling and promotion of autophagy.