Tetrandrine alleviates podocyte injury via calcium-dependent calpain-1 signaling blockade

BACKGROUND: Podocytes have become a crucial target for interventions in proteinuric kidney diseases. Many studies have reported that overexpression of transient receptor potential cation channel protein 6 (TRPC6) in podocyte injury upregulates intracellular Ca(2+) influx and stimulates Ca(2+)-dependent protease calpain-1 signaling. The traditional Chinese drug, tetrandrine, a nonselective Ca(2+) channel blocker, has long been used to treat chronic kidney disease. This research aimed to explore the possible mechanisms underlying the anti-proteinuric properties of tetrandrine. METHODS: We investigated the involvement of tetrandrine in Ca(2+) dependent calpain-1 signaling in mouse podocytes and adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats. Cyclosporine A (CsA) and U73122 were used as positive controls. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, Ca(2+) concentration, calpain activity, and mRNA and protein expression levels of calpain-1 signaling pathways were examined. The clinical and pathological changes were measured. RESULTS: Tetrandrine decreased intracellular Ca(2+) influx in cultured TRPC6-overexpressing podocytes. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, the administration of tetrandrine downregulated calpain activity and the expression of calpain-1 and restored the expression of downstream Talin-1 and nephrin. Compared to CsA, tetrandrine treatment exhibited superior inhibitory effects on calpain activity and calpain-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Tetrandrine has therapeutic potential in podocyte damage by blocking Ca(2+)-dependent activation of the calpain-1 signaling pathway. Tetrandrine reduced proteinuria, improved renal function, and alleviate renal pathological damage. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03469-x.