Role of Antioxidant Herbal Drugs in Renal Disorders: An Overview

Abstract

Renal disorders have always remained a major area of concern for physicians since a long time. It is the 9th leading cause of death in United States. Incidence of kidney diseases leading to kidney failure is increasing day by day. A large number of chemicals in common use are potential renal toxins. The use of herbal drugs for the prevention and treatment of various diseases is constantly developing throughout the world. Many studies have been carried out that strongly support the contribution of antioxidants to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes mellitus, and suggest a role in the prevention of peptic ulcer. Polyphenols display a number of pharmacological properties in the renal area, acting as diuretic, anti inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antioxidant agents. The antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds have been widely studied, but it has become clear that their mechanisms of action go beyond the modulation of oxidative stress. Various polyphenolic compounds have been reported for their nephroprotective activity with a good level of renal protection. Therefore, considering the important role of polyphenolic compounds in the prevention or reduction of renal disorders induced by various nephrotoxic chemical agents, in this review, we have summarized the literature on some potent nephroprotective plants, such as, Achyrocline satureioides, Zingiber officinalis, Teminalia chebula etc having antioxidant properties.