Flavonoids Intervene in Diabetic Nephropathy by Regulating TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20252006
- VernacularTitle:黄酮类化合物调控TGF-β/Smad信号通路干预糖尿病肾病的研究进展
- Author:
Qihui QIU
1
;
Chang LIU
1
;
Xiaotong YAN
1
;
Jinwei HAN
1
;
Hui SUN
1
;
Fengting YIN
1
;
Yuhang WANG
1
;
Mengmeng WANG
1
;
Xijun WANG
1
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine，Chinmedomics Research Center of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine， Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine，Harbin 150040，China
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
diabetic nephropathy;
transforming growth factor-β/Smad （TGF-β/Smad） signaling pathway;
flavonoids;
mechanism;
review
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(7):300-309
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Diabetic nephropathy （DKD）， as a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus （DM）， is a major cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. Its clinical manifestations include increased urinary protein excretion， thickening of the glomerular basement membrane， and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex and involves multiple factors， including disordered glucose metabolism， hemodynamic alterations， and oxidative stress. Although modern medical approaches can alleviate certain symptoms， they still have limitations such as insufficient therapeutic targeting and prominent adverse effects. The transforming growth factor-β/Smad （TGF-β/Smad） signaling pathway is not only a tissue fibrosis pathway that has attracted considerable attention in recent years， but also regulates multiple protein molecules， including the glomerular podocyte slit diaphragm protein Podocin， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD）， thereby participating in various pathological processes and ultimately mediating renal injury. Flavonoid compounds， owing to their sustained pharmacological effects， broad spectrum of action， and high safety profile， have become ideal candidates for targeted therapy research in DKD. Existing studies have shown that these compounds can exert inhibitory effects on renal fibrosis， alleviate inflammatory responses， protect podocytes， and reduce oxidative stress by regulating the interactions between the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and the aforementioned protein molecules， thereby maintaining renal structure and function， reducing proteinuria， and significantly improving DKD lesions. This review briefly outlines the composition and functions of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway， elucidates the mechanisms by which this pathway regulates DKD， and focuses on summarizing major studies from the past decade on flavonoid-based interventions in DKD through targeted inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Furthermore， it discusses the considerable therapeutic potential of flavonoids in the treatment of this disease， aiming to provide a scientific basis for future clinical prevention and treatment of DKD and to promote the development of targeted drugs.
