Objective To observe the effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Formula（ ZJYF） in treating diabetic nephropathy（ DN） and discuss the possible mechanism. Methods 40 muscle IGF-I receptor（ IGF-IR）-lysinearginine（ MKR） mice were randomly divided into MKR group

model group

TCM group

and western medicine group

with 10 in each

and another 10 C57 mice were set as control group. The model group

TCM group

and western medicine group were given high fat diet in combination with resection of the right kidney to establish the DN models. Eight weeks after the surgery

the TCM group was given ZJYF solution 28 g /（ kg·d）

while the western medicine group was given gliquidone tablets 7. 9 mg /（ kg·d） and benazepril hydrochloride tablets 1. 3 mg /（ kg·d）

and the other groups were given equal amount of distilled water

1 time daily

for 8 consecutive weeks. The fasting blood glucose

urinary micro-albumin（ Um A1b）

degree of glomerular podocytes apoptosis

and expression levels of Bcl-2

Bax mRNA and protein were measured. Results The apoptotic cells

which were mainly glomerular podocytes

increased notedly in the model group

but significantly decreased in the TCM group and western medicine group after 8-week treatment. Compared with in the control group

the fasting blood glucose

Um A1 b

and the expression of Bcl-2

Bax mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the MKR group and the model group

especially in the model group（ P < 0. 01）. After treatments

the fasting blood glucose

Um A1 b

and the expression levels of Bax mRNA and protein were significantly lower but the levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein higher in the TCM group and western medicine group than those in the model group（ P < 0. 01）

while there were no significant difference between the TCM group and western medicine group（ P > 0. 05）. Conclusion Podocyte apoptosis was involved in the pathogenesis of DN. ZJYF could inhibit the podocyte apoptosis by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in order to protect renal function.