Mechanistic Insights Into Astragali Radix n-Butanol on Podocyte Injury via Cell Cycle Regulation

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Nephrology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Traditional Chinese medicine Astragali Radix (AR) shows promise for nephrotic syndrome (NS).
• AR n-butanol (AR-B) component ameliorates podocyte injury, but mechanisms remain unclear.
• Serum containing AR-B (AR-B-S) is investigated for its protective effects on podocytes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which AR-B-S mitigates podocyte injury.
• To establish an optimal preparation protocol for AR-B-S.
• To identify therapeutic targets for kidney disease.

Main Methods:

• Adriamycin (ADR)-induced podocyte injury model in rats.
• Optimization of AR-B-S preparation (serum collection time, incubation, concentration).
• UPLC-MS compositional analysis and network pharmacology for target prediction.
• Assessment of cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in podocytes.

Main Results:

• Optimal AR-B-S preparation: serum 3.5h post-administration, 56°C for 30min, 2.5% concentration.
• Network pharmacology identified cell cycle as a key pathway (>30% of targets).
• AR-B-S reversed ADR-induced mitotic arrest and podocyte apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Conclusions:

• AR-B-S protects against podocyte injury by regulating the cell cycle and inhibiting apoptosis.
• The PI3K/Akt pathway is crucial for AR-B-S's protective effects.
• AR-B-S offers a potential therapeutic strategy for kidney disease and a reference for herbal serum preparation.