Macrophage polarization has been reported to induce podocyte injury, which is a typical characteristic of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Trichosanthes kirilowii is an herb showing renal protective effect as well as immune-regulating effect. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the renal protective effect of Trichosanthes kirilowii was associated with its modulation on macrophage polarization. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis by subjecting DN rats to treatment of Trichosanthes kirilowii lectin (TKL), an active component of Trichosanthes kirilowii.

DN was induced using streptozocin (STZ) method, and after 3 days, treatments were performed with different doses of TKL for eight weeks. The effect of TKL on the renal function, structure, and inflammation was assessed. To explain the pathway mediating the effect of TKL on renal tissues, the expressions of markers involved in macrophage polarization, podocyte proliferation, and Notch signaling were determined. Moreover, the DN rats were further administrated with Notch signaling inhibitor, Dibenzazepine (DIB), to verify the key role of Notch signaling in the renal protective effect of TKL.

STZ induced damages in renal function and structure, which was attenuated by TKL of different doses. Moreover, STZ also increased the production of TNF-α and iNOS while suppressed the production of IL-10 and arginase-1 (Arg-1). The induced inflammation by STZ was inhibited by TKL. The polarization of macrophage into M1 type during the development of DN was blocked by TKL, contributing to the increased proliferation potential of podocytes. Regarding Notch signaling, TKL administration inhibited the activation of the pathway by suppressing the expression of Notch1, NICD1, and Hes1. The administration of DIB had similar effect to that of TKL administration on renal function and structure.

The study for the first time showed that TKL attenuated deterioration in renal structure and function by increasing M2 macrophage proportion via inhibition of Notch signaling.