Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of Tongluo Yishen Formula（ 通络益肾方） in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Methods Totally 35 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group

western medicine group and Chinese medicine group with large

medium and small dose

7 rats in each group. The Chinese medicine group with large

medium and small dose were gavaged with 6. 20

3. 10

1. 55 g / ml Tongluo Yishen Formula respectively daily with the amount of 2 ml; The western medicine group were gavaged with 2 ml mixed liquor of Lotensin（ 0. 09 mg / ml） and Gliquidone（ 0. 27 mg / ml）

once a day

continuous administration for 10 days. Two hours after the last time of intragastric administration

medicated serum was prepared. Rat mesangial cell line HBZY-1 cells were divided into normal group

model group

western medicine group and Chinese medicine groups with large

medium and small dose. After synchronization of 24 h

the normal group was added with 5. 6 mmol / L low sugar and 10%fetal calf serum 100 μl

the model group was added with 30 mmol / L high glucose and 10% blank serum 100 μl

the Chinese medicine groups with large

medium and small dose were added with 30 mmol / L high glucose and 10%large

medium and small dose of medicated serum 100 μl respectively

the western medicine group was added with30 mmol / L high glucose and 10% western medicine serum 100 μL. After culture of 12

24

48 and 72 h respectively

the apoptosis of mesangial cells was detected by flow cytometry

RT-PCR detection of the expression level of glucose regulated protein 78（ GRP78） and c-Jun amino terminal kinase（ JNK） mRNA in the mesangial cells was used in all the groups. Results Compared with the normal group at the same time point

the apoptosis rates of mesangial cell in the model group were continuously increased at 24

48 and 72 h（ P < 0. 01）. Compared with the model group at the same time point

the apoptosis rate of mesangial cells was significantly decreased at 24

48 and 72 h of each group（ P < 0. 01）; In the large

medium and small dose of Chinese medicine group

the apoptosis rates of the mesangial cells at different time points were decreased with the increase of the drug dose

which was dose dependent（ P <0. 01）. Compared with the normal group at the same time point

GRP78 mRNA levels in the model group at 24

48 h continued to rise

while at 72 h it was significantly decreased

mRNA JNK expression significantly increased at 48 h and 72 h（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Compared with the model group at the same time point

mesangial cells of GRP78 mRNA and JNK mRNA of each group decreased significantly at 48 and 72 h

and the large-dose group was the lowest（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Conclusion Tongluo Yishen Formula can inhibit the apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells

and its mechanism may be related to the delay of GRP78 mRNA increase and down regulation of mRNA JNK expression.