Salvia miltiorrhiza（Danshen）extract inhibits renal apoptosis via activation of AMPK signaling in rats with diabetic nephropathy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese herbalSalvia miltiorrhiza （SM; Danshen） on diabetic nephropathy in high fat diet （HFD） and low dosestreptozotocin（ STZ）-induced type 2 diabetic rats.Methods: HFD and low-dose STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats received SM extract treatment.Measurements of blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL）, ALT （GPT）, blood ureanitrogen （BUN） and urinary protein were performed. Renal expression of AMP-activated protein kinase（AMPK）, glucose transporter 2（ Glut- 2 ）, Caspase 3, BclxL, and Bcl 2 were analyzed by Western blot.Histopathological analysis was performed using hematoxylin-eosin（ H&E） and Masson trichrome（ MT）stained renal sections.Results: Blood glucose and serum LDL, ALT and BUN levels were higher in diabetic control（ Group DM）rats than in normal control （Group N） rats, while treatment with SM （Group DM+SM） has reversedthese changes. Urine protein levels were measured before starting the treatment and also before sacrificeusing 24 h urine samples. I have identified that treatment with SM tended to reduced the excretion ofproteins in the urine. Renal expression of AMPK, Glut-2, BclxL, and Bcl 2 were decreased and caspase 3was increased in Group DM compared to Group N and these changes were ameliorated in Group DM+SMrats.Conclusion: SM treatment to DM rats has reduced blood glucose and 24h urinary protein excretion andimproved the renal structure and function. These protective effects might be produced via attenuation ofapoptosis and activation of AMPK and Glut-2