Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV(ASIV) on renal function of mice with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) and the regulation of serum IL-1β and IL-17. Methods Thirty-two ICR clean male mice were randomly divided into crotrol group, model group, Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablet group (positive drug group) and astragaloside IV (ASIV intervention) group with 8 mice in each group. MsPGN model was established by routine method. After 12 weeks of treatment, the pathological changes of kidney tissue were microscopied. Routine biochemical method was used to detect 24 h urinary protein (24 hUP) in mice 1 day before treatment, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. Detection of serum cystatin C(Cys C) expression, renal tissue homogenate and serum IL-1 β and IL-17 by ELISA. The beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) was measured by colorimetry. Results Compared with the control group, mesangial cells and mesangial matrix proliferated in model group mice. After treatment with ASIV and Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets, the kidney lesions and mesangial cell and mesangial matrix proliferation in mice were alleviated. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of 24 hUP, NAG, Cys C, IL-1β and IL-17 in kidney tissue and serum of the model group were significantly increased (P＜0.05). After treatment, the expression levels of 24 hUP, NAG, Cys C, IL-1β and IL-17 in ASIV group and Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablet group were dose-dependent, and significantly lower than those in model group (P＜0.05). Conclusions Astragaloside Ⅳ regulates renal function, inhibits proliferation of mesangial cells and the increase of extracellular matrix, and alleviates renal injury, which is potentially related to the inhibition of inflammatory reaction of renal tissue by ASIV.

Key words: mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, astragaloside IV, renal function, inflammatory cytokines