Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extracts Ameliorates Diabetic Renal Injury in Rats via TWEAK/Fn14/NF-κB Pathway

Objectives: Our study aims to explore the effect of Ginkgo biloba Leaf extracts (GBLF) on diabetic nephropathy and its mechanism. Materials and Methods: Fifty rats were divided into five groups: Control, Model, Positive drug group (irbesartan, 25 mg/kg), Low-dose group (48 mg/kg of GBLF), High-dose group (96 mg/kg) (n=10). Diabetic nephropathy rat model were established. Urine Microalbumin (UMAL) content was measured by the biuret method. Serum glucose, creatinine, soluble TWEAK (sTWEAK) levels were detected using ELISA. Radioimmunoassay was employed to measure the content of insulin and C-peptide. Masson and (Hematoxylin and eosin) histological analysis was done to observe pathological structure in renal tissues. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were implemented to detect the expression of genes and proteins. Results: Compared with the control group, the renal tubular epithelial cells of rats in the model group were severely damaged, as indicated by increases in 24-hr urine volume and UMAL, blood glucose levels, creatinine levels, gene expression for fibrosis factors and TWEAK, and the expression of MCP-1 protein, as well as a dramatic decline in C-peptide, insulin, and sTWEAK (p < 0.05). GBLF treatment reversed damage in renal tubular epithelial cell, with significantly reduced levels of 24-hr urine volume and urinary acid levels, blood glucose, and creatinine levels, and significantly elevated levels of C-peptide, insulin, and sTWEAK as compared to the model group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts may improve diabetic renal injury by inhibiting TWEAK/ Fn14/NF-κB pathway.