CCN2 and diabetes mellitus: This extract also inhibits TGF-β1 expression in HG-induced HK-2 renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and HG diet-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus Apoeem1/Nar1/Narl mice model, thereby down-regulating downstream Smad3 signaling and reducing connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and Coll I levels, which mitigates renal fibrosis (38, 39).