BACKGROUND: Rhubarb and astragalus capsule (RAC) has been used in the clinical treatment of chronic kidney disease for decades. However, the mechanism of RAC has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanisms of RAC on unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal interstitial fibrosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The main components of RAC are detected by high-performance liquid phase (HPLC). A rat model of UUO was established, and a subset of rats underwent treatment with RAC. Renal function and renal pathology were examined at 14 days and 21 days after the UUO operation. Renal cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining. The levels of Bcl-2 and Bax in the kidney were examined by western blotting, and the levels of collagen I, α-SMA, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and p38 MAPK in the kidneys were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: High-performance liquid phase chromatography showed that RAC contained 1.12 mg/g aloe-emodin, 2.25 mg/g rhein, 1.75 mg/g emodin, and 4.50 mg/g chrysophanol. Administration of RAC significantly decreased the levels of urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Scr) and also reduced renal tissue damages and interstitial fibrosis induced by UUO in rats. Moreover, the increased levels of collagen I, α-SMA, TGF-β1, p38 MAPK, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, as well as cell apoptosis in the kidney, were induced by UUO, and were all found deceased by RAC treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: RAC can improve the renal interstitial fibrosis induced by UUO, and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of renal tubular cell apoptosis via TGF-β1/p38 MAPK pathway.

Keywords: Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic, Transforming Growth Factor beta1, Acetylglucosaminidase, Actins, Astragalus Plant, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Capsules, Collagen Type I, Creatinine, Drugs, Chinese Herbal, Fibrosis, Kidney, Kidney Diseases, Rheum, Ureteral Obstruction, bcl-2-Associated X Protein