The inhibition of rutin on Src kinase blocks high glucose-induced EGFR/ERK transactivation in diabetic nephropathy by integrative approach of network pharmacology and experimental verification

Background

Although clinical strategies for diabetic nephropathy (DN) therapy include stringent blood pressure control through blockade of the renin-angiotensin system and management of hyperglycemia, the condition is still observed to progress relentlessly.

Purpose

To elucidate the protective effects of rutin on podocytes in db/db mice with integrative approach of network pharmacology and experimental verification.

Methods

The study employs network pharmacology to identify common targets between rutin and DN, constructs a potential protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and conducts Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Molecular docking is utilized to evaluate the interaction between rutin and protein targets. Additionally, experimental validation is performed using db/db mice and human podocyte cell models.

Results

Rutin has been found to have a significant renoprotective effect, reducing blood glucose, proteinuria, and improving renal function in db/db mice. Rutin's inhibition of Src kinase reduces the phosphorylation levels of EGFR and ERK, which may mitigate podocyte injury. Additionally, rutin exhibits antioxidant properties, capable of lowering the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in kidney tissue and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD). These effects help protect podocytes from oxidative stress, further supporting the potential application of rutin in the treatment of DN.

Conclusions

The inhibition of rutin on Src kinase blocks high glucose-induced EGFR/ERK transactivation and protects podocyte injury in DN, indicating it might serve as a promising therapeutic agent for podocyte-targeted therapies.