Researchers tested a traditional Chinese medicine blend called Shenqi Compound on rats with diabetic kidney disease, a serious complication that damages the kidneys over time. The treatment appeared to slow down kidney damage by blocking a specific harmful pathway in the body. Scientists identified the active ingredient responsible for the benefits and confirmed it works by targeting a protein called LRG1. While these early results are promising, the research was done in animals and lab cells, so more testing in humans is needed before doctors can recommend it as a treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a traditional Chinese medicine formula could reduce kidney damage in diabetic kidney disease and how it works
  • Who participated: Laboratory rats with artificially induced diabetic kidney disease, plus human kidney cells grown in dishes
  • Key finding: The Shenqi Compound reduced kidney scarring and damage in diabetic rats by blocking a harmful cellular pathway, with results comparable to a standard diabetes kidney medication
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a potential new treatment option for diabetic kidney disease, but it’s still in early stages. People with diabetes should continue their current treatments while scientists work to test this in humans

The Research Details

Scientists created a laboratory model of diabetic kidney disease in rats by feeding them a high-fat diet and injecting them with a chemical that damages the pancreas. They then gave different doses of Shenqi Compound to these rats for 10 weeks and compared the results to rats receiving a standard kidney disease medication called irbesartan. The researchers examined the rats’ kidneys under a microscope to see if the treatment reduced scarring and damage. They also tested the treatment in human kidney cells grown in laboratory dishes to understand exactly how it works at the cellular level.

This multi-level approach—testing in whole animals, examining tissues, and studying individual cells—helps researchers understand both whether a treatment works and how it works. This is important because it provides stronger evidence than any single type of test alone

The study used multiple scientific techniques to confirm results, including microscopic examination, protein analysis, and computer modeling. However, because testing was only done in animals and lab cells, not in humans, the results are preliminary. The study didn’t specify how many rats were used, which makes it harder to evaluate the strength of the findings

What the Results Show

The Shenqi Compound successfully reduced blood sugar levels and body weight in diabetic rats, similar to the standard medication used as a comparison. More importantly, the treatment reduced kidney scarring and damage visible under the microscope. The compound appeared to work by blocking a specific harmful pathway in kidney cells called the LRG1/TGF-β/Smad pathway. This pathway is responsible for kidney scarring, so blocking it helps prevent long-term kidney damage. Scientists identified the main active ingredient in the formula as a compound called Tanshinone IIA (TAN IIA), which directly targets and blocks the LRG1 protein that starts this harmful cascade.

In laboratory tests with human kidney cells, Tanshinone IIA stopped cells from migrating and spreading, which is part of the scarring process. The compound did not damage the kidney cells at the doses tested, suggesting it may be safe. Computer modeling and molecular studies confirmed that Tanshinone IIA binds tightly to the LRG1 protein and effectively blocks its activity

Current treatments for diabetic kidney disease mainly focus on controlling blood sugar and blood pressure, but they don’t directly stop the scarring process. This research suggests a new approach by targeting the specific cellular pathway that causes scarring. The results align with previous research showing that blocking this pathway can reduce kidney damage, but this is the first study demonstrating that Shenqi Compound can do this effectively

This research was conducted only in animals and laboratory cells, not in humans. The study didn’t clearly report how many rats were used, making it difficult to assess the statistical strength of the findings. Long-term effects in humans are unknown. The treatment was tested for only 10 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue or if side effects develop over longer periods. Different people may respond differently to the treatment based on genetics and other factors

The Bottom Line

This research is too early-stage to recommend Shenqi Compound as a treatment for diabetic kidney disease. People with diabetes should continue taking their prescribed medications and follow their doctor’s advice. Future human clinical trials are needed to determine if this treatment is safe and effective in real patients (Confidence: Low—preliminary research only)

People with diabetes and kidney disease should be aware of this research as a potential future option, but should not change their current treatment without consulting their doctor. Researchers studying kidney disease and traditional medicine compounds should find this work interesting. People interested in how traditional Chinese medicine might work at the molecular level may find this relevant

If this treatment advances to human testing, it typically takes 5-10 years or more before a new therapy becomes available to patients. Benefits in the animal studies appeared within 10 weeks, but human responses may differ significantly

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track kidney function markers (creatinine and eGFR levels from blood tests) monthly if you have diabetic kidney disease, noting any changes in blood sugar control and medication adjustments
  • Use the app to set reminders for regular kidney function blood tests and to log your current diabetes medications, creating a baseline to discuss with your doctor about emerging treatments
  • Maintain a long-term log of kidney function test results and blood sugar readings to identify trends and share with your healthcare provider when discussing new treatment options as they become available

This research is preliminary and was conducted in animals and laboratory cells only. It has not been tested in humans. People with diabetic kidney disease should continue taking their prescribed medications and should not change their treatment based on this research without consulting their healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always discuss new treatment options with your doctor before making any changes to your diabetes or kidney disease management plan.