Artesunate attenuated TNF‑α and IL‑6 levels, suppressed α‑SMA, TLR4, MyD88, NF‑κB p65 and TGF‑β1 protein expression, and decreased caspase‑3 activity in nephritis mice.
Fifty-two percent of the biopsies exhibited IL-6 and TNFalpha deposited along the glomeruli and tubules; in situ expression of these cytokines was demonstrated in 6 biopsies with type IV, and 1 with type III nephritis.