Given that SCFAs such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate are significantly depleted in CKD and DKD patients—and these decreases correlate with renal dysfunction and inflammation—the ability of TCM formulas (e.g., Shenyan Kangfu, Tangshen Formula, QiDiTangShen) to restore SCFA levels and engage GPR41/43 to suppress NF-κB signaling may underlie their anti-fibrotic effects (Mao et al., 2023; Zhao et al., 2023, 2024). The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is diabetic kidney disease.