Effect and mechanism of the Decoction of Benefiting Kidney Qi and Promoting Blood Circulation on primary membranous nephropathy in sub-plateau area

OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of action of the traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine formula, Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction, as an adjunct therapy for primary membranous nephropathy in sub-plateau regions. METHODS: 98 patients with primary membranous nephropathy were randomly divided into an observation group (46 cases) and a control group (52 cases). The control group received oral cyclosporine A capsules; the observation group received the same treatment as the control group, plus the traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine formula, Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction. The treatment course for both groups was 60 days. Changes in clinical symptoms, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, urinary microalbumin, plasma albumin, triglyceride levels, and renal function were observed before and after treatment in both groups. The effects of Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction on syndrome differentiation were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in clinical symptoms, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, urinary microalbumin, plasma albumin, and triglyceride levels between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). The observation group showed better results than the control group. CONCLUSION: The traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine formula Bu Shen Yi Qi Hua Yu Tang (Kidney-Tonifying, Qi-Boosting, and Blood-Stasis-Removing Decoction) can improve the clinical efficacy of primary membranous nephropathy in sub-plateau regions. Its mechanism of action may be related to its ability to improve renal microcirculation, clear immune complexes, promote podocyte repair, and intervene in complement activation pathways.