The Protective Effect of Danhong on Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis is Associated with Suppression of Angiotensin II and Transforming Growth Factor β in the Kidney

Background and Objectives: Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF), the common pathway of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage kidney disease, is sorely lacking of effective drugs in prevention, even synthetic chemical drugs have made significant progress. Therefore, this study was to investigate the effects of Danhong (active agents of Salvia miltiorrhiza and safflower Carthamus) on TIF in early CKD with unilateral nephrectomy animal model. Materials and Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (each n = 10): A, control; B, CKD; C, CKD + Danhong; and D, CKD + Losartan. In Group A and B, rats were treated with normal saline for 12 weeks. In Group C and D, rats were treated with Danhong (8 mL/kg/day) and losartan (20 mg/kg/day), respectively. The concentrations of angiotensin II (Ang II) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) in kidney were measured by immunohistochemistry technique and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship among the indicators relating to TIF was analyzed. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The concentrations of Ang II and TGF-β in renal cortex homogenate, TGF-β1 positive area in renal cortex tissue, and semi-quantitative nephropathological scores of TIF were dramatically lower in CKD rats treated with Danhong, compare with those without Danhong management. Conclusions: Danhong has a protective effect on TIF in CKD rats, similar to losartan, may through a series of approach including suppression of Ang II and TGF-β in kidney.