To systematically collect the literature on Pheretima and its compound

and sort their pharmacological effects and mechanism on diabetic nephropathy. It was found that pheretima and its compound could improve the prothrombotic state in patients with diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting platelet activation

repairing vascular endothelial injure induced by high glucose

and inhibiting the formation of blood clots with the mechanism of anticoagulation

thrombolysis and fibrinolytic system balance adjustment. Secondly

in the early stage of diabetes

Pheretima could improve the tissue blood circulation and inhibit the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy by correcting abnormal blood rheology

reducing the viscosity of whole blood and plasma

reducing the content of fibrinogen in blood

inhibiting blood sedimentation and erythrocyte aggregation

and enhancing the capacity of deformation of red blood cells. Furthermore

Pheretima could improve microcirculation by adjusting blood lipid metabolic disorder

inhibiting the increase of triglycerides

cholesterol

low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein

and inhibiting the reduction of high density lipoprotein

thereby inhibiting diabetic microvascular disease-occurrence and development of diabetes nephropathy. More importantly

Pheretima and its compound could inhibit the proliferation of mesangial cells

degrade extracellular matrix

and prevent the occurrence and development of glomerulosclerosis by the ways of antioxidant and regulating cytokines associated with diabetic nephropathy (such as transforming growth factor-β1

connective tissue growth factor

interleukin-6

tumor necrosis factor-α). Conclusively

Pheretima has broad prospects as a potential drug therapy for diabetic nephropathy.