The protective effect of
Hachimi-jio-gan extract against
chronic renal failure in a subtotal
nephrectomy rat model was investigated. The level of serum
urea nitrogen by
nephrectomy was increased over 15 weeks, but the administration of
Hachimi-jio-gan at 50 and 200 mg led to the decrease. In addition, the levels of
creatinine (Cr), urinary
methylguanidine (MG) and MG/Cr were increased, whereas Cr clearance dramatically decreased in nephrectomized rats. However,
oral administration of
Hachimi-jio-gan extract prevented the elevation of these
uremic toxins in serum and urine, and the production of
hydroxyl radical. Moreover,
nephrectomy led to a significant decline in
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
catalase activities, but increased
glutathione peroxidase activity compared with normal levels, indicating an abnormal antioxidative system. The increased activity of both SOD and
catalase by the
oral administration of
Hachimi-jio-gan suggested that these
enzymes are associated with the protective role of
Hachimi-jio-gan extract against oxidative stress by
nephrectomy. Moreover, the decrease in
serum albumin in nephrectomized control rats was increased and
proteinuria was ameliorated by the administration of
Hachimi-jio-gan with improved glomerular hyalinosis, interstitial
fibrosis and
inflammation, suggesting the beneficial effect of
Hachimi-jio-gan to prevent glomerular
sclerosis and progressive renal
fibrosis. This study suggests that
Hachimi-jio-gan plays a protective role in the progression of
chronic renal failure through the decline in
uremic toxins, elevation of antioxidative
enzyme activity such as SOD and
catalase, and amelioration of histopathological lesions in the kidney.