Objective To observe the efficacy of Buyuan Tongluo Decoction（ decoction for qi-supplementing and collateral-dredging

补元通络汤） for diabetic nephropathy（ DN）. Methods Totally 74 cases of DN at stage Ⅲ were randomized into treatment group and control group

with 37 in each. Both groups were given basic treatment. The patients in the control group were orally taken 150 mg irbesartan tablets daily. The patients in the treatment group were orally taken Buyuan Tongluo Decoction one dose daily in addition. Both groups were treated for 6 courses（ one treatment course lasted for 28 days）. The urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio（ UACR）

24 h urinary protein（ 24hUP）

glomerular filtration rate（ GFR）

serum creatinine（ SCr） and TCM syndrome scores were compared in both groups before and after treatment. The efficacy of disease and TCM syndrome was evaluated after treatment. Results The UACR

24UP

SCr and TCM syndrome scores were significantly decreased but GFR was significantly increased in both groups after treatment（ P < 0. 05）

especially UACR

24 hUP and TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group（ P < 0. 05）. Both total effective rate of disease and TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 87. 10%. The total effective rate of disease and TCM syndrome in the control group was 64. 86% and 59. 46% respectively. The total effective rates of disease and TCM syndrome in the treatment group were superior to those in the control group（ P < 0. 05）. Conclusion Buyuan Tongluo Decoction combined with irbesartan is effective for DN at stage Ⅲ

with a better efficacy in relieving TCM syndrome and urinary protein as compared with simple irbesartan.