Sanqi Qushi formula ameliorates renal injury in experimental membranous nephropathy rats by inhibiting the MEK/ERK signaling pathway

作者：Ziyang Lin, Zhaodi Wang, Van Pham Kim Thuong, Xianlong Zhang, Baien Liang, Minyi Li, Mengqiu Li, Tingting Duan, Zhenghai Li, Ping Li, Aihua Wu, Junzheng Yang, Kun Bao, Bo Liu · 发表于：Journal of Ethnopharmacology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.jep.2025.119813 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Renal Diseases and Glomerulopathies、Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes、Nephrotoxicity and Medicinal Plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance Sanqi Qushi Formula (SQQS), a clinically validated derivative of the Sanqi oral solution, integrates principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat membranous nephropathy (MN). Its efficacy in reducing proteinuria and preserving renal function has been observed in clinical practice. Aim of the study This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms, active components, and pathway-specific effects of SQQS in MN, providing a scientific foundation for its clinical use. Materials and methods The components of SQQS were analyzed using UHPLC-MS/MS. A passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) rat model was induced by intravenous injection of anti-Fx1A serum. Rats received oral SQQS for 3 weeks, and urine/serum samples were collected to evaluate renal function and chemokine levels. Renal histopathology was assessed via immunofluorescence, PASM staining, and CD68 immunostaining. Network pharmacology integrated target prediction for SQQS compounds and differentially expressed genes from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (MN patient glomeruli). Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway proteins and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were analyzed by western blotting (WB). Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations evaluated compound-MEK interactions. Human glomerular podocytes were treated with SQQS-derived compounds; viability and migration were assessed using cell cou...