Astragalus membranaceus ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vivo and in vitro

Shan,Guang; Zhou,Xiang‑Jun; Xia,Yue; Qian,Hui‑Jun

doi:10.3892/etm.2016.3152

Astragalus membranaceus ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vivo and in vitro

Authors:
- Guang Shan
- Xiang‑Jun Zhou
- Yue Xia
- Hui‑Jun Qian
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Affiliations: Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
Published online on: March 11, 2016 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2016.3152
Pages: 1611-1616
Copyright: © Shan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induces the progression of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and anti‑cancer effects, in addition to protecting and supporting the immune system. The present study investigated the effects of AM on renal fibrosis. A mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was established and treated with various concentrations of AM (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg/day). Interstitial fibrosis markedly increased in the UUO mice. AM significantly reduced the obstruction‑induced upregulation of α‑smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and downregulation of E-cadherin in the kidneys of the UUO mice (P<0.05). Furthermore, AM treatment significantly inhibited the induction of EMT and the deposition of extracellular matrix. In addition, a transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β1‑stimulated murine renal proximal tubule cell line (NRK‑52E) was treated with various concentrations of AM (10, 20, and 40 µg/ml). E‑cadherin expression levels significantly decreased and those of α‑SMA significantly increased in NRK‑52E cells stimulated with TGF‑β1 in vitro (P<0.05). Co-treatment with AM reversed these effects (P<0.05), and AM treatment reduced TGF‑β1‑induced expression and Smad2/3 phosphorylation (P<0.05). These results suggested that AM antagonizes tubular EMT by inhibiting the Smad signaling pathway.

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