Silkworm pupae extract attenuates diabetic kidney disease through inhibiting apoptosis

Abstract

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a prevalent microvascular complication affecting over 40 % of diabetes patients globally, imposes substantial burdens on healthcare systems through its dual impact on renal function deterioration and cardiovascular mortality. Silkworm pupae (SWP) is an ancient functional food documented in Chinese Materia Medica and Southeast Asian dietary practices, has recently emerged as a research focus due to its unique composition of chitin-derived peptides, antioxidant flavonoids, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory components. Building upon existing evidence of SWP's anti-inflammatory properties, this investigation evaluated the renoprotective effects of SWP in two representative stages—C2 (the fragile and soft stage) and C4 (nearly eclosion). The results indicated that SWP alleviated renal dysfunction and renal fibrosis through inhibiting apoptosis in DM mice. Notably, C2-stage extracts outperformed C4 counterparts in restoring podocyte integrity. These findings position SWP as a nutraceutical intervention for DKD management. • We demonstrated that silkworm pupae can alleviate DKD via inhibit apoptosis. • We divided the pupation process into 4 stages according to the changes of protein composition. • Two representative stages of SWP were selected for the treatment of DKD. • Our study demonstrated that SWP is a functional food in the management of DKD.