miR-188-3p abolishes germacrone-mediated podocyte protection in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy in type I diabetes through triggering mitochondrial injury.

Germacrone alleviates DN progression in type I diabetes by limiting podocyte apoptosis, which was partly counteracted by miR-188-3p upregulation. The combination of germacrone and miR-188-3p antagonists is expected to be an effective therapeutic strategy for DN.