Objective To explore the possible mechanism of Qufeng Tongluo Recipe（ 祛风通络方） in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Methods A total of 32 GK rats were randomly divided into model group

sham operation group

Yiqi Huoxue group and Qufeng Tongluo group

with 8 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group

rats were treated with high-fat

high-calorie feeding plus single nephrectomy to replicate the diabetic kidney disease model. Yiqi Huoxue group was given Yiqi Huoxue Granules at a concentration of 0. 75 g/ml by gavage

and the Qufeng Tongluo group was given a concentration of 0. 9 g/ml Qufeng Tongluo Granules by gavage. The model group and the sham operation group were given pure water by gavage. The dose of all groups was 1 ml/100 g for 8 weeks.The general condition of rats was observed

and the 24-hour urine protein changes

levels of blood glucose

creatinine

urea nitrogen

alanine aminotransferase（ ALT）

and aspartate aminotransferase（ AST） were detected. HE staining was used to observe renal pathology. The expression of podocyte marker proteins of nephrin

desmin

podocin and podocalyxin was detected by immunity histochemistry. Results The results of HE staining showed that the model group showed glomerular hypertrophy

a small amount of glomerular atrophy

and renal tubular dilatation.There was no glomerular atrophy in the Yiqi Huoxue group and Qufeng Tongluo group

and the mesangial cells proliferated lightly. Renal tubular epithelial cells were less degenerative. The creatinine of the model group was significantly higher than that of the sham operation group（ P < 0. 05）. The ALT of the Yiqi Huoxue group was significantly lower than that of the model group and the Qufeng Tongluo group（ P < 0. 05）. Compared with the model group

Yiqi Huoxue group and Qufeng Tongluo group could reduce 24-hour urine protein（ P < 0. 01）. The expression of nephrin in the kidney of Yiqi Huoxue group and Qufeng Tongluo group was higher than that in the model group（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. The expression of podocin in the kidney of the rats in the Qufeng Tongluo group was higher than that in the model group and Yiqi Huoxue group. The expression of podocalyxin in the kidney tissue of the rats in the Qufeng Tongluo group was higher than that in the model group（ P < 0. 05）. Conclusion Qufeng Tongluo Recipe can alleviate podocyte injury and that may be one of the mechanisms for its treatment of diabetic nephropathy.