Overview
- In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, 120 patients with diabetic kidney disease and macroalbuminuria were treated for 24 weeks with either the Shenzhuo Formula or irbesartan.
- Both groups achieved similar reductions in 24-hour urinary protein, but the herbal therapy led to improved kidney function, with eGFR rising and serum creatinine falling compared with declines on irbesartan.
- Olink proteomics showed significant decreases in inflammatory mediators CX3CL1 and MCP-1 after treatment with the herbal formula.
- Single-nucleus RNA sequencing localized these inflammatory signals to endothelial, mesangial, and tubular cells, where treatment suppressed their expression.
- Animal studies mirrored the clinical findings, and a Bayesian analysis supported a high probability of renal benefit, with investigators urging larger and longer trials to confirm efficacy and safety.