As renal
fibrosis significantly contributes to various kinds of
chronic kidney diseases, this study aimed to investigate the renal protective effects of Qingshen Buyang Formula against renal
fibrosis on 5/6 nephrectomized rats, and its underlying mechanisms were explored. A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into
sham operation group (
Sham group), 5/6
nephrectomy group (5/6Nx group), and Qingshen Buyang Formula treatment group (QBF group). The intervention was intragastric administration for 12 weeks. In the end, the blood samples were collected to test renal functional parameters, urine
proteins were measured, and the left kidneys were removed for histological studies, as well as
mRNA and
protein expression analysis. The results showed that Qingshen Buyang Formula significantly decreased BUN, Scr, and
proteinuria in 5/6Nx rats. Meanwhile, it ameliorated the kidney injury and
fibrosis, exemplified by the depressed expression of
collagen I and
fibronectin (FN), which are the main components of ECM. Furthermore, the process of EMT inhibited the Wnt/β-
catenin signaling pathway related genes, such as Wnt4, TCF4, β-
catenin, and p-GSK3β. Collectively, the Qingshen Buyang Formula can improve renal function and attenuate renal
fibrosis, and its underlying mechanisms may be related with inhibiting EMT and Wnt/β-
catenin signaling pathway.