Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of Yushen Formula（ formula to treat nephropathy

愈肾方） for adriamycin nephropathy（ AN） in rats. Methods Fifty SD rats were randomized into blank group

model group

hormone group and Yushen Formula large-dose group and small-dose groups

with 10 in each. The nephropathy models were established by tail vein injection of adriamycin（ ADR） twice（ 7 days interval） in all groups except the blank group. On the 3rd day after the last injection

the hormone group was gavaged with 9. 0 mg / kg prednisone tablets

Yushen Formula large-dose and small-dose groups were gavaged with 39. 6 g / kg and 19. 8 g / kg Yushen Formula

and the blank group and model group were gavaged with the same amount of drinking water for 21 days. The 24 h urine volume and 24 h urinary protein（ 24 hUP）

renal function

blood lipids

total protein（ TP）

kidney tissue endothelin-1（ ET-1） and renal pathological changes were compared in all groups. Results Comparing with the model group

the 24 h urine volumes were significantly increased in the hormone group and Yushen Formula large-dose and small-dose groups

but the 24 hUP was significantly decreased in Yushen Formula large-dose and small-dose groups（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Comparing with the blank group

the renal function and blood lipids were significantly increased but TP was significantly decreased in other groups（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Comparing with the blank group

the staining intensity of kidney tissue ET-1 was significantly increased in the model group but decreased in Yushen Formula large-dose and small-dose groups. Conclusion Yushen Formula can obviously reduce urinary protein and repair glomerular structure

podocyte and slit diaphragm in AN rats. Its mechanism may be associated with reduced secretion of ET-1.