Abstract:Objective To investigate therapeutic potential of ziyinqingrehuoxue formula(ZYQRHXF) combined the glucocorticoid in MRL/lpr lupus mice, and to reveal the mechanism of ZYQRHXF on anti-lupus renal fibrosis. Methods Mice with MRL/lpr spontaneous lupus were divided into 5 groups according to the level of proteinuria, glucocorticoid group, ZYQRHXF group, ZYQRHXF and glucocorticoid full volume group and ZYQRHXF and half-dose group, respectively. After 4 weeks of drug intervention, histopathological damage of kidney and the deposition of IgG immune complexes were assessed by H&E staining and immunofluorescence, respectively. Kidney fibrosis was detected by Masson staining; the protein expression levels of Smad4 and Smad7 in the kidneys were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the model group, the pathological damage of kidney in treatment group mice was significantly reduced; Masson staining results showed that collagen deposited were significantly decreased in prednisone acetate group, ZYQRHXF and Glucocorticoid full volume group and ZYQRHXF half-dose group when compared to the model group and ZYQRHXF group. The deposition of renal IgG immune complex were reduced in the ZYQRHXF and glucocorticoid full volume group and half-dose group. Compared with the model group, Smad4 protein was decreased significantly in the ZYQRHXF group, glucocorticoid full volume group and half-dose group. While Smad7 in the ZYQRHXF group, glucocorticoid full volume group and half-dose group was dramatic increased, especially in both the traditional Chinese medicine combined the glucocorticoid groups. Conclusion The ZYQRHXF combined the glucocorticoid could ameliorated renal fibrosis in MRL/lpr mice. Its mechanism of action was related to the inhibition of Smad4 expression and the up-regulation of Smad7 protein expression. This study provides a biological basis for clinical treatment of ZYQRHXF in renal fibrosis of lupus erythematosus.