Ethnopharmacological relevance: Kangqianling decoction (KQL), the modified formulation of a classical Chinese prescription named Taohongsiwu decoction, was clinically employed to treat renal fibrosis in chronic renal failure. Aim of the study: The present study was designed to examine whether KQL has a protective effect on renal function in association with transforming growth factor-(beta)(TGF-(beta), angiotensin II (Ang II), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B) in rats with 5/6 renal ablation (Nx)-induced chronic renal failure. Results: In renal function deterioration progression, the high expression of serum creatinine (Scr), 24-h urine protein and systolic blood pressure were markedly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) restored by KQL, respectively, at 4 and 8 weeks. The increasing expressions of renal Ang II (P < 0.05), angiotensin II1-receptor (AT1R) (P < 0.05), TNF-a (P < 0.05), NF-?B (P < 0.001) and urine TGF-(beta) (P < 0.05) were reduced by the treatment of KQL. Immunohistochemical study further confirmed the nephro-protective activity of KQL as compared to the control and Sham group. Conclusions: The results indicate that KQL is able to protect renal function via ameliorating experimental rat renal failure as found in these renal functional parameters.
