Buckwheat extract inhibits progression of renal failure

Rats subjected to partial resection of the parenchyma showed reduced radical-scavenging activity in the remaining kidney and increased severity of renal tissue lesions. However, in similarly nephrectomized rats given buckwheat extract, the state of oxidative stress improved by restoring the decreased activities of reactive oxygen species-scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. The degree of mesangial proliferation, severity of extratubular lesions such as crescents and adhesions, glomerulosclerosis index, and severity of tubular interstitial lesions also improved. In addition, nephrectomized rats given buckwheat extract showed improvement in renal function, as indicated by decreased serum level of creatinine, with a significant decrease in the level of methylguanidine, a uremic toxin produced from creatinine in the presence of hydroxyl radical.