Chinese Herbal Medicine in Ameliorating Diabetic Kidney Disease via Activating Autophagy

J Diabetes Res. 2019 Nov 16:2019:9030893. doi: 10.1155/2019/9030893. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), has become a serious public health problem worldwide and lacks effective therapies due to its complex pathogenesis. Recent studies suggested defective autophagy involved in the pathogenesis and progression of DKD. Chinese herbal medicine, as an emerging option for the treatment of DKD, could improve diabetic kidney injury by activating autophagy. In this review, we briefly summarize underlying mechanisms of autophagy dysregulation in DKD, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and the sirtuin (Sirt) pathways, and we particularly concentrate on the current status of Chinese herbal medicine treating DKD by regulating autophagy. The advances in our understanding regarding the treatment of DKD via regulating autophagy with Chinese herbal medicine will enhance the clinical application of Chinese medicine as well as discovery of novel therapeutic agents for diabetic patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Autophagy*
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / metabolism
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Sirtuins / metabolism
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Sirtuins