Astragaloside IV May Reduce Long-Term Kidney Damage from Tacrolimus by Controlling a Key Cellular Stress Pathway

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) significantly reactivated transcription factor EB (TFEB) and improved renal function in the context of tacrolimus-induced chronic nephrotoxicity.

• AS-IV restored tacrolimus-impaired renal function and pathology.
• The treatment also enhanced autophagy flux and DNA repair in renal cells.
• Effects of AS-IV were reversed when TFEB was knocked down, indicating a critical role for TFEB.
• AS-IV activated TFEB by inhibiting mTOR, which is responsible for phosphorylating TFEB at Ser211.
• AS-IV did not affect calcineurin activity, suggesting a selective mechanism of action.

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