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Natural Products in Renal-Associated Drug Discovery

Summary

This research examines how natural products like green tea and medicinal mushrooms can help treat kidney diseases. Scientists reviewed various plants used in traditional medicine and analyzed how compounds from these plants affect gene expression in kidney cells. The study identified specific genes and biological pathways that explain how these natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents protect kidneys from injury and disease.

Background

Kidney disease, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), represents a major global public health burden. Inflammation and oxidative stress play significant roles in kidney malfunction. Natural medicinal plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties offer potential therapeutic approaches for kidney-associated diseases.

Objective

To review medicinal plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for treating kidney diseases and conduct meta-analysis of gene signatures regulated by antioxidants such as EGCG (green tea) and Ganoderma lucidum mushroom in kidney disease models.

Results

Identified EGCG and GL-regulated gene signatures linked to metabolism, inflammation, ion signaling, and renal processes including genes like NRG1, E2F1, NFKB1, JUN, SLC12A1, and LOX. Analysis revealed overlapping therapeutic pathways including VEGF, ERBB, and BDNF signaling between natural antioxidants and kidney disease models.

Conclusion

Medicinal plant extracts show efficacy for prevention and management of kidney diseases through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Further detailed characterization of molecular targets and clinical validation studies are needed to establish therapeutic applications in kidney disease management.
  • Published in:Antioxidants (Basel),
  • Study Type:Meta-analysis and Review,
  • Source: PMID: 37627594, DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081599
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