The elevation of Osr1, Nanog, HGF, BMP-7, WT-1, and Pax2 expression in CKD rat kidney by Icariin was well in correlation with the increased numbers of CD133+ and/or CD24+ stem/progenitor cells while the reduced expression of TGF-β1 leading to the blocking of interstitial fibrosis (Fig. 7). The gene discussed is PAX2; the disease is chronic kidney disease.