AUTHOR=Wang Tao , Chen Ming , Xu Jiwen , Qiao Yuhang , Huang Xinhui , Yan Xiaoming , Zhang Fuli 

TITLE=A review of advances in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy by modulating intestinal flora with natural products of traditional Chinese medicine

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1628294

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2025.1628294

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Hemodynamic irregularities, metabolic problems, and hormone production are only a few of the many mediators and routes that contribute to the intricate and varied genesis of DN. DN is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease, which is characterised by persistently low glomerular filtration capacity and hyperglycaemia. Numerous studies have been conducted recently on the function of gut flora in DN. According to current research, the formation and progression of DN have been linked to imbalances in the gut microbiota and abnormal microbial metabolite production. Therefore, intestinal flora modulation may be an entry point for the treatment of DN. As an increasing number of studies are using natural products of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a therapeutic tool, this article reviews the progress of TCM natural products in treating DN by modulating gut microbiota.