{
  "abstract": "Introduction\n\nAlthough dioscin, a natural steroidal saponin, has demonstrated renal protective effects, its mechanism related to the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains incompletely characterized.Methods\n\nA DKD rat model was established and treated with dioscin. Metabolic parameters (blood glucose, urine protein, serum creatinine, renal index) were measured. Renal histopathology was evaluated via Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to assess Nrf2/HO-1, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In vitro, high glucose (HG)-induced HK-2 cells were subjected to Nrf2 knockdown and treated with dioscin. Cell viability and ROS levels were examined.Results\n\nDioscin administration significantly reduced fasting blood glucose by 60%, glucose tolerance by 40%, insulin levels by 50%, urinary protein by 50%, and serum creatinine levels by 35% in DKD rats (p<0.001), while ameliorating histopathological damage including mesangial hyperplasia, and mitochondrial disruption (p<0.001). Moreover, dioscin upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 by 50% (p<0.01) and 30% (p<0.05), respectively, and reduced renal ROS levels by 55% (p<0.001). In HG-stimulated HK-2 cells, dioscin increased cell viability from 55% to 70% (p<0.001), and reduced ROS generation by 90% (p<0.001) as well as mitochondrial ROS accumulation by 50% (p<0.001). However, Nrf2 knockdown reversed these protective effects.Conclusion\n\nDioscin attenuates renal injury and oxidative stress in DKD by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, underscoring its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for DKD.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Nephrology, The First People's Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Xiaoshan Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yan Li",
      "orcid": "0009-0005-5624-1473"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Xiaoyun Zhang",
      "orcid": "0009-0006-8501-017X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mansheng Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Subo Li"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yubo Chen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Li Zhang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/680k9evbec73h.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.2147/dmso.s590914",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13724070",
  "id": "680k9evbec73h",
  "issns": [
    "1178-7007"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968987",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2727|Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7224086036",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13724070?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13724070",
  "pmid": "42968987",
  "published": "2026-10-28",
  "publisher": "Dove Press",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/680k9evbec73h.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-03T15:20:53Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42968987",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968987"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T12:22:35Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13724070",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.2147/dmso.s590914"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:2712|Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins",
      "subfield": "endocrinology-metabolism"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Dioscin Alleviates Diabetic Kidney Disease via Activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Axis.",
  "title_text": "Dioscin Alleviates Diabetic Kidney Disease via Activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Axis.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-05T03:20:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/680k9evbec73h",
  "venue": "Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy",
  "versions": []
}