2. Academic Validation
  3. Quercetin ameliorates renal injury by promoting UCP1-mediated alleviation of lipid accumulation in diabetic kidney disease

Quercetin ameliorates renal injury by promoting UCP1-mediated alleviation of lipid accumulation in diabetic kidney disease

  • Phytomedicine. 2025 Aug 27:147:157213. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2025.157213.
Wei Yong 1,  Ziyi Li 1,  Weilong Xu 2,  Danni Gao 1,  Baixue Sha 1,  Yinuo Jin 3,  Yumeng Shen 4,  Yanfeng Zhang 1,  Yi Pan 1,  Jianxing Liu 1,  Fangfang Zhang 1,  Jiangyi Yu 5,  Liang Jin 6,  Yue Yang 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
  • 2 School of Medicine & Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China.
  • 3 Nanjing HanKai Academy, Jiangpu Street, Pukou District, Nanjing 210000, China.
  • 4 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
  • 5 School of Medicine & Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China. Electronic address: yjy202105@njucm.edu.cn.
  • 6 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China. Electronic address: ljstemcell@cpu.edu.cn.
  • 7 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China. Electronic address: 1520220091@cpu.edu.cn.
PMID: 40907404 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2025.157213
Abstract

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) represents a common microvascular complication associated with diabetes. Research suggests that lipid accumulation contributes to lipotoxicity, exacerbating kidney injury in DKD. Quercetin (QCT), a flavonoid derived from specific fruits and vegetables, has shown potential in mitigating DKD progression; however, its precise protective mechanisms remain to be explored.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of quercetin (QCT) on lipid accumulation in DKD and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: The pathological and molecular changes associated with DKD were examined through histological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses in DKD mice and cell models treated with QCT. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identify key targets of QCT in DKD treatment. Molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were utilized to confirm the interaction of QCT and the identified targets. Moreover, PPARA/PPARG inhibitors and si-UCP1 were co-incubated with QCT in DKD cell models to assess their regulatory roles.

Results: QCT significantly improved renal function, reduced lipid deposition, and mitigated renal fibrosis in DKD mice. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and gamma (PPARA and PPARG) were identified as critical targets of QCT in DKD treatment. Inhibition of PPARA and PPARG in HK-2 cells reduced the protective effects of QCT. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that QCT activated the PPARA/PPARG-UCP1 axis, enhancing fatty acid oxidation, decreasing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, and alleviating lipotoxicity.

Conclusions: QCT ameliorated renal injury in DKD by improving lipid accumulation via the PPARA/PPARG-UCP1 axis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option for DKD treatment.

Keywords

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD); Lipid accumulation; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs); Quercetin; Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1).

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