Abstract: SA-PO0256
Kidney-Protective Effects of Niaoduqing Mediated in Part Through Modulation of the Gut Microbiome and Th17/Treg Immune Homeostasis
Session Information
- Pharmacology
November 08, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Pharmacology (PharmacoKinetics, -Dynamics, -Genomics)
- 2000 Pharmacology (PharmacoKinetics, -Dynamics, -Genomics)
Authors
- Xiao, Wei, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Du, Ying, Consun Pharmaceutical Group Limited, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Chen, Jiayun, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Chen, Ali, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Huang, Qian, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Background
Niaoduqing (NDQ) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used in China for over 20 years to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies have shown that NDQ protects kidney function through multiple mechanisms. This study investigated the impact of NDQ on modulating the gut-kidney axis.
Methods
Adenine-induced CKD mice were treated with low-, medium-, or high-dose NDQ (2.1, 4.2, and 8.4 g/kg/day, p.o.) for 4 weeks and the impact on kidney function, gut microbiome and lymphocyte subsets measured. To determine the effect of NDQ on the gut microbiome, antibiotic (ABX)-treated gut microbiota-depleted CKD mice, with and without a fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) from NDQ-treated mice, were studied. 16S rRNA sequencing, untargeted metabolomics, and flow cytometry were undertaken to identify NDQ-modulated gut microbiota, plasma metabolic profiles and immune cell subsets.
Results
NDQ treatment significantly reduced serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urinary protein excretion (1A). These effects of NDQ were abolished in ABX-treated mice but returned in FMT recipients (1B). 16S rRNA analysis revealed an enrichment of the gut microbiome with Bifidobacterium animalis following NDQ treatment (1C & D), which correlated with an increase in levels of sophocarpine and oxysophocarpine (1E). KEGG enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed metabolites, suggested that these changes may impact on T cell function (1F). NDQ treatment resulted in a reduction in Th17 cells and an increase in Treg cells in the spleen (1G).
Conclusion
This study suggests that NDQ modulates the gut microbiome and Th17/Treg immune homeostasis, and that these pathways may play a key role in the kidney protective effects of NDQ in CKD.
Funding
- Government Support – Non-U.S.