Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of artesunate (Art) on cell proliferation, apoptosis, nuclear factor (NF)- κB and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) expressions induced by high glucose in rat renal mesangial cells (HBZY- 1), and the mechanism thereof. Methods HBZY-1 cells were cultured and divided into normal glucose group (5.6 mmol/L), high glucose group (25 mmol/L) and high glucose with different concentrations of Art (10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L) groups. MTT assay was used to detect the cell proliferation after 48 h. The apoptotic rate was evaluated by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI double stains. The protein levels of NF-κB and MCP-1 in the cell culture supernatant were determined using ELISA. Results High glucose induced apoptosis and proliferation in HBZY-1 cells, and the expressions of NF-κB and MCP- 1 in the supernatant were also increased (P＜0.05). After treatment with Art, the proliferation was obviously abolished, and the apoptosis was increased, and the expressions of NF-κB and MCP-1 in the supernatant were decreased in HBZY- 1 cells. The effects of Art showed a dose- dependent manner (P＜0.05). Conclusion Artesunate treatment can reverse the effect of high glucose in HBZY- 1 cells in a dose- dependent manner, which may provide a new therapeutic strategy for diabetic nephropathy.

Key words: diabetic nephropathies, apoptosis, mesangial cells, NF- kappa B, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, Artesunate