Network analysis to explore the anti-senescence mechanism of Jinchan Yishen Tongluo Formula (JCYSTLF) in diabetic kidneys

Background The Jinchan Yishen Tongluo Formula (JCYSTLF) has the effect of delaying senescence in diabetic kidneys. However, the mechanism is not clear. Purpose Combination methods to investigate the anti-senescence mechanism of JCYSTLF in diabetic kidneys. Methods The main compounds of JCYSTLF were characterized by LC-MS/MS, and the anti-senescence targets of JCYSTLF were screened via network analysis. Then, we performed in vivo and in vitro experiments to validate the results. Results The target profiles of compounds were obtained by LC-MS/MS to characterize the primary function of JCYSTLF. Senescence was identified as a key biological functional module of JCYSTLF in the treatment of DN via constructing compounds-target-biological network analysis. Further analysis of senescence-related targets recognized the HIF-1α/autophagy pathway as the core anti-senescence mechanism of JCYSTLF in diabetic kidneys. Animal experiments showed, in comparison with valsartan, JCYSTLF showed an improvement in urinary albumin and renal pathological damage. JCYSTLF enhanced the ability of diabetic kidneys to clear senescence-related proteins via regulating autophagy confirmed by autophagy inhibitor CQ. However, HIF-1α inhibitor 2-ME weakened the role of JCYSLTF in regulating autophagy in diabetic kidneys. Meanwhile, over-expressed HIF-1α in HK-2 cells decreased the levels of SA-β-gal, p21 and p53 induced by AGEs. Upregulated HIF-1α could reverse the blocking of autophagy induced by AGEs in HK-2 cells evaluated by ptfLC3. Conclusion We provided in vitro and in vivo evidence for the anti-senescence role of JCYSTLF in regulating the HIF-1α/autophagy pathway.