Therapeutic potential of Atractylodes lancea in restoring cardio-renal function in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome.

Background: Cardio-Renal Metabolic Syndrome (CRS) encompasses metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure. It is associated with obesity, systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Atractylodes lancea (AL), a traditional herbal remedy, has been previously reported to exhibit diuretic, sedative, antibacterial, and anticancer effects. However, the impact of AL on cardiovascular and renal functions within a metabolic syndrome (MS) model remains to be explored.

Methods: Metabolic syndrome was induced in rats through an 8-week high-fat, high-fructose diet. After induction, experimental groups were orally administered olmesartan (10 mg/kg/day) or Aqueous extract of Atractylodes lancea (AAL) at 100 or 200 mg/kg/day for an additional 8 weeks. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, abdominal circumference, systolic blood pressure, and HDL-cholesterol levels were measured. Insulin levels and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were conducted to evaluate insulin resistance. Cardiac function was assessed using echocardiography, and ejection fraction and fractional shortening were analyzed. Masson's trichrome and Picrosirius red staining were performed to evaluate fibrosis in the heart and aorta. Renal function was measured through creatinine clearance, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and electrolyte levels. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was additionally performed to evaluate histological changes in the kidney.

Results: Administration of AAL resulted in significant reductions in body weight, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, abdominal circumference, and systolic blood pressure, while HDL-cholesterol levels increased. AAL improved insulin resistance, as indicated by enhanced insulin levels and OGTT results. Echocardiography revealed improvements in ejection fraction and fractional shortening in AAL-treated groups compared to the MS group. Histological analysis showed that AAL reduced heart and aorta fibrosis, as well as attenuated kidney injury. Additionally, AAL improved renal function by enhancing creatinine clearance, reducing BUN levels, and stabilizing electrolyte balance.

Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Atractylodes lancea (AAL) effectively ameliorated cardiovascular and renal dysfunction in a rat model of metabolic syndrome model. These results suggest that AAL may have preventive and therapeutic potential for cardio-renal complications associated with MS. However, further investigation is needed to evaluate its suitability for diet-based interventions and evaluate its safety and pharmacological profile.