Research progress on the mechanism of action and clinical application of Shenqi dihuang decoction in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy
- VernacularTitle:参芪地黄汤治疗糖尿病肾病的作用机制及临床应用研究进展
- Author:
Jiajie LI
1
;
Jiaqi WANG
2
;
Jie ZHAO
3
;
Zezhu LI
3
;
Yaping WANG
4
;
Guirong ZHANG
3
;
Heguo YAN
3
;
Jiabao LIAO
1
;
Weibo WEN
3
Author Information
1. First School of Clinical Medicine，Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine，Kunming 650500，China;Joint Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China，Jiangsu Suzhou 215105，China
2. School of Life Sciences，East China Normal University，Shanghai 200241，China
3. First School of Clinical Medicine，Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine，Kunming 650500，China
4. School of Basic Medical Sciences，Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine，Kunming 650500，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Shenqi dihuang decoction;
diabetic nephro-
- From:
China Pharmacy
2026;37(8):1085-1091
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Diabetic nephropathy（DN） is a common and severe microvascular complication of diabetes. In recent years， the classical herbal formula Shenqi dihuang decoction has demonstrated unique advantages in the clinical treatment of DN. This article conducts a systematic review of the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of Shenqi dihuang decoction in the treatment of DN. It reveals that the mechanism by which this formula improves DN involves multi-target synergistic regulation. For instance, Shenqi dihuang decoction exerts multiple pharmacological effects by regulating signaling pathways including phosphatidy linostiol 3-kinase/protein kinase B， AMP-activated protein kinase/silent information regulator 1/forkhead box O1， and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathways.These effects include regulating glucose and lipid metabolism， inhibiting oxidative stress， reducing inflammation， improving insulin resistance， modulating cell death （apoptosis/autophagy/ferroptosis/pyroptosis）， and preventing renal fibrosis. Existing clinical studies indicate that Shenqi dihuang decoction and its modified formulas， alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods， can significantly improve glucose and lipid metabolism， reduce proteinuria， and delay renal function decline in patients with DN. These effects are superior to those of Western medicines such as irbesartan， valsartan， and empagliflozin， and the treatment demonstrates good safety. Future research should leverage systems biology and artificial intelligence technologies to further elucidate the integrated mechanisms in the treatment of DN by Shenqi dihuang decoction， thereby advancing the precision and standardization of its clinical application.
