糖尿病肾病（DN）是一种在糖尿病患者中发生的慢性肾脏疾病。虫草素（CRD）是北虫草产生的次生代谢产物，具有多种生物活性。本研究使用DN小鼠和高糖（HG）处理的HK-2来评估CRD的诊断价值。采用定量实时PCR（qRT-PCR）、蛋白质印迹、免疫荧光分析和免疫组织化学染色来评估CRD的诊断价值。评估 mRNA 和蛋白质表达的变化。通过检测活性氧（ROS）的产生和抗氧化酶的活性来评估氧化应激。通过TUNEL和流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡。通过生物信息学分析和荧光素酶报告基因测定检查 miR-193b-5p 与髓性白血病 1 (MCL-1) 的相互作用。通过检测DN相关生化指标和肾脏组织病理学来评估CRD对DN小鼠的保护作用。HG反应后，miR-193b-5p水平升高，而MCL-1水平下调，CRD治疗逆转这种行为。 MCL-1 被进一步鉴定为 miR-193b-5p 靶标。 CRD 减轻了 HG 引起的细胞损伤、炎症和异常能量代谢。体外模型的机制研究证实，CRD 对 HK-2 细胞的 HG 攻击的保护作用是通过调节 miR-193b-5p/MCL-1 轴的表达来介导的。通过检查 DN 相关生化标志物和肾脏组织病理学，评估了 CRD 对 DN 小鼠的保护作用。 总之，CRD 通过增加 miR-193b-5p 和灭活下游 MCL-1 来减轻 DN 中的氧化应激和炎症，暗示了其关键价值CRD 和 miR-193b-5p 在 DN 管理中的作用。© 2023。国际中医药和生物医学中心有限公司。

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic kidney disease that develops in patients with diabetes mellitus. Cordycepin (CRD), a secondary metabolite produced by Cordyceps militaris, has a variety of bioactive properties. In this study, DN mice and high glucose (HG)-treated HK-2 were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of CRD.Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blotting, immunofluorescence analysis, and immunohistochemical staining were used to assess changes in mRNA and protein expression. Oxidative stress was evaluated by detecting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Cell apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL and flow cytometric methods. The interaction of miR-193b-5p and myeloid leukemia 1 (MCL-1) was examined by bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay. The protective effects of CRD on DN mice were evaluated by examining DN related biochemical indicators and renal histopathology.In response to HG, the level of miR-193b-5p was elevated, whilst the level of MCL-1 was downregulated, and CRD therapy reversed this behavior. MCL-1 was further identified to be miR-193b-5p target. CRD attenuated HG-induced cell damage, inflammation and abnormal energy metabolism. Mechanistic investigations on in vitro models confirmed that protective effect of CRD against HG challenge to HK-2 cells is mediated through the regulation of expression of miR-193b-5p/MCL-1 axis. By examining DN related biochemical markers and renal histopathology, the protective effects of CRD on DN mice was assessed.In summary, CRD decreased oxidative stress and inflammation by increasing miR-193b-5p and inactivating downstream MCL-1 in DN, hinting the pivotal values of CRD and miR-193b-5p in the management of DN.© 2023. International Society for Chinese Medicine and BioMed Central Ltd.