Effect of genipin-1-β-d-gentiobioside on diabetic nephropathy in mice by activating AMP-activated protein kinase/silencing information regulator-related enzyme 1/ nuclear factor-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVES Genipin-1-β-d-gentiobioside (GG) is a kind of compound extracted from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. The chemical structure of GG is similar to that of geniposide and has antidiabetic effects. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of GG on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in vivo and in vitro experiments and explore its potential mechanism. METHODS For high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced DN mice used in our study, the general features of mice were analysed after GG treatment. Oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory factors were also measured by commercial kits. Kidney damage was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining, respectively. In vitro, podocyte injury was assessed by TUNEL and flow cytometric analyses. AMP-activated protein kinase/silencing information regulator related enzyme 1 (AMPK/SIRT1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway-related proteins were detected by AMPK-siRNA intervention and western blotting. KEY FINDINGS Treatment of GG could increase cell survival and attenuated kidney damage. Despite the presence of inflammatory and oxidative stress, when GG retained the expression of AMPK/SIRT1, it could be observed that the downstream NLRP3 inflammatory-related proteins were inhibited. CONCLUSIONS Results showed that the protective efficacy of GG on DN works together with hypoglycemia and suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, which at least partly involved in APMK/SIRT1/NF-κB-dependent pathway.