Objective: To investigate the effect of serum containing Potentilla purpurea on the proliferation and transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells in mice with high glucose. Method: Serum containing drugs were prepared for various groups. 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS)-roswell park memorial institute 1640(RPMI 1640) medium was used for culture of renal tubular epithelial cells in mice and then they were planted on 96 well plate with 3 000 cells per well. The cells were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group

high glucose group

irbesartan group and P. purpurea group; 6% serum containing corresponding drugs was added to high glucose RPMI 1640 medium; and then the cell morphology was observed in all groups at 12

24

48

and 60 h. In addition

absorbance A of all groups was detected by the tetramethylthiazolate (MTT) colorimetric method. Ras homologous gene family member A (RhoA)

Rho protein kinase 1 (ROCK1)

α-smoothmuscleactin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin (cadherin-E) protein expression levels were detected by Western blot after 24 hours of high glucose culture. Result: In high glucose group

the form of renal tubular epithelial cells changed from the flat irregular polygon into long fusiform; after corresponding drug-containing serum was added

the cells became flat in irregular polygon. The glucose group of renal tubular epithelial cells showed obvious proliferation condition at 12 h (P<0.05) and extremely significant proliferation at 24

48

60 h as compared with normal group (P<0.01). P. purpurea group could inhibit renal tubular epithelial cell proliferation at 12 h (P<0.05)

and the effect was significantly enhanced at 24

48

60 h (P<0.01) as compared with high glucose group. P. purpurea group could inhibit renal tubular epithelial cell proliferation at 48

60 h as compared with irbesartan group (P<0.05). In addition

as compared with model group

the expression of E-cadherin protein was increased significantly

and the expression levels of RhoA

ROCK and α-SMA protein were decreased significantly in P. purpurea group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The serum containing P. purpurea could inhibit the proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells and transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells in mice with high glucose

thus delaying the progress of interstitial fibrosis

and the mechanism may be associated with RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.