This drug downregulated the protein and mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 in the kidney tissue of DKD rats and high glucose-induced mouse podocytes and decreased the expression of downstream IL-1β and IL-18.[53] Therefore, Cordyceps sinensis can reduce inflammatory injury in DKD and podocytes by inhibiting the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Here, IL18 is linked to diabetic kidney disease.