Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Berberine Protecting the Kidney in Diabetic Kidney Disease / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ABSTRACT

Diabetic kidney disease （DKD） is a chronic kidney disease caused by diabetes， influenced by genetic and environmental factors and their interaction. It is the primary cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Recent studies have found， as a natural isoquinoline alkaloid， berberine （BBR） has hypoglycemic， hypolipidemic， antioxidant， anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties， thus protects against kidney injury in DKD. The mechanisms of action of BBR may involve improving glucolipid metabolism， reducing oxidative stress， alleviating inflammatory responses， mitigating renal fibrosis， regulating DNA methylation， promoting mitochondrial function and modulating the gut microbiota to enhance gut metabolism and clearance. This article systematically reviews the current status of research on the mechanisms of BBR in the treatment of DKD and provides reference for future clinical application of BBR in the treatment of DKD.