The kidney antifibrotic effects of 5,7,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone from in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: and experiments.

CONTEXT

The antidiabetic effects of flavonoids have been reported, but it is still unclear whether 5,7,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone, isolated from Benth. (Fabaceae), also exhibits such properties.

OBJECTIVE

To isolate 5,7,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone from using high-speed countercurrent chromatography and examine its potential in treating diabetic nephropathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The phytochemical constituents from the stems of were separated and purified with high-speed countercurrent chromatography; 5,7,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF) was identified by mass spectrum, H-NMR, and C-NMR. After exposing mesangial cells to 30 mM glucose and either 5 μM or 10 μM PMF for 6 h, the levels of fibronectin (FN) and p-Smad2/3 were analyzed using Western blotting. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with 55 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce diabetes and then were randomized into three groups ( = 10): vehicle administration, low-dose (5 mg/kg) PMF, and high-dose (25 mg/kg) PMF by intragastric gavage for 3 months. A healthy group was included as the control.

RESULTS

Compared to the diabetic group, low-dose and high-dose PMF treatment decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 by 0.54- and 0.52-fold, and the accumulation of FN decreased by 0.82- and 0.77-fold ; the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 was decreased by 0.39- and 0.37-fold, and the accumulation of FN decreased by 0.47- and 0.40-fold , respectively. Furthermore, PMF alleviated the glomerular basement membrane thickness and foot process fusion.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest for the first time that PMF may be a promising treatment option for diabetic kidney fibrosis, which warrants additional clinical investigation.