Studies on antinephritic effects of plant components (3): Effect of pachyman, a main component of Poria cocos Wolf on original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and its mechanisms.

The antinephritic effect of pachyman on original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats was investigated. Pachyman was given to original-type anti-GBM nephritic rats for 10 days from the day of anti-GBM serum injection. Pachyman prevented urinary protein excretion and the elevation of serum cholesterol content. Histopathological observations of the glomeruli indicated that although the number of nuclei and adhesion to capillary walls of Bowman's capsule in nephritic control rats were significantly increased, pachyman reduced the degree of histopathological changes such as hypercellularity and adhesion as compared to the control group. Although the serum complement CH50 ratio in control group was significantly lower than that in the normal group, the decrease in serum complement CH50 was inhibited by pachyman, and rat C3 deposition in the glomeruli in the pachyman-treated group was significantly reduced. These results suggest that pachyman was effective against original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and that the antinephritic mechanisms of pachyman may be partly due to the inhibitory action of this agent on C3 deposition in the glomeruli.