In this study, we evaluated the renal protective effects of a Chinese
herbal preparation WH30+ in male Wistar rats with
glycerol-induced
acute renal failure and
adenine-induced
chronic renal failure. WH30+ is a Chinese herb preparation composed of Rheum Palmatum, Salvia Miltiorrhiza, Cordyceps Sinensis, Leonurus Sibiricus, Epihedium Macranthum,
Radix Astragali, and Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae, which has been used to treat kidney deficiency in human. An
acute renal failure and
chronic renal failure rat model were introduced by
glycerol injection (i.m.) and fed with
adenine-excessive diet, respectively. WH30+ was administered to rats at the dose of 50 mg/kg/day from 10 days before the diseases were induced until the rats were sacrificed. A reduction in
body weight (p < 0.01) was observed in rats with
chronic renal failure, but there was no difference between treatment groups. However, the
body weight of rats with
acute renal failure without treatment was significantly lower than those treated with WH30+ (p < 0.05). Overall, serum
creatinine and
urea nitrogen were elevated significantly (p < 0.01) in
renal failure rats compared to control. Treatment with WH30+ improved both serum
creatinine and
urea nitrogen slightly in both models. The WH30+-treated rats with
acute renal failure had significantly (p < 0.05) greater
creatinine clearance than those without treatment. The results of the study show that WH30+ is more effective in the prevention of
acute renal failure than
chronic renal failure.