Nephroprotective and Therapeutic Potential of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Renal Diseases

Abstract

Aim and objective: The present review enlists some medicinal plants possessing nephroprotective and nephrocurative activity against druginduced nephrotoxicity. Background: Nephrotoxicity, one of the most common kidney problems, occurs when the body is exposed to a drug or toxin. A number of therapeutic drugs such as antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, and NSAIDs can weaken the kidney function resulting in acute renal failure, chronic interstitial nephritis, and nephritic syndrome. Many herbs possess nephroprotective properties due to presence of several potent phytoconstituents and other chemical compounds. Many herbs and their formulations have been used in traditional system of medicine to cure kidney disorders since millennia without any side effects. This review presents classical examples of some medicinal plants and nephroprotective compounds present in them. Review results: Based on the plethora of evidences presented for the plant-derived nephroprotective agents, the plants reviewed belonged to 12 different families (dicotyledons). The seeds and leaves have been largely reported to treat renal disorders Phenols and flavonoids were observed as the common bioactive compounds along with terpenes (mon-, di- and sesq-) of different classes. Conclusion: The phytochemical review of different plants reveals the presence of many bioactive compounds such as sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, and alkaloids with different biological activities. These compounds possess potent nephroprotective properties. Clinical significance: The extracts of the plants reviewed exhibited significant dose-dependent nephroprotective and nephrocurative activity (5–600 mg/body weight).