Qiguiyishen decoction reduced the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the kidneys of rats with adriamycin-induced nephropathy

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Qiguiyishen decoction (QGYS) on the severity of nephropathy.MethodsTwenty-four rats were randomly divided into four groups (I, II, III, IV) according to the random number table. Group I as control group did not establish nephropathy model. Groups II, III, and IV were intravenously administered Adriamycin (7.5 mg/kg) through the tail vein to establish nephropathy model. QGYS was prepared with the extracts of Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), and Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong). Group IV was administered QGYS (2 mL · kg−1 · d−1), group III was administered benazepril (10 mL · kg−1 · d−1), and group I, II was administered water (2 mL · kg−1 · d−1) once daily for eight weeks.ResultsQGYS reduced the excretion of urinary protein and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and alleviated the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in renal tissue. Additionally, QGYS effectively regulated the levels of transforming growth factor, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase, and matrix metalloproteinases in the kidney of the rats.ConclusionQGYS may reduce the accumulation of ECM in the kidneys of rats with Adriamycin-induced nephropathy.