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Direct Drug Delivery to Kidney via the Renal Artery
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Natural Products in Renal-Associated Drug Discovery

Wasco Wruck1, Afua Kobi Ampem Genfi2, James Adjaye1,3

  • 1Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Medicinal plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties show promise for managing kidney diseases. Research identified key gene signatures regulated by green tea (EGCG) and mushroom (GL) extracts in kidney cells and models.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Global rise in kidney failure presents a significant public health challenge.
  • Kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), are driven by multifactorial processes, notably inflammation and oxidative stress.
  • Medicinal plants possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with therapeutic potential for kidney disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review medicinal plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for treating kidney diseases in rodent models.
  • To conduct a meta-analysis identifying gene signatures and biological processes affected by antioxidants (EGCG, GL) in kidney cells and disease models.
  • To explore the potential of natural compounds in managing kidney health.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of publications on medicinal plants and kidney disease rodent models.
  • Meta-analysis of gene expression data from human/mouse cells treated with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and Ganoderma lucidum (GL).
  • Analysis of gene signatures and associated biological pathways in kidney disease contexts.

Main Results:

  • Identified EGCG- and GL-regulated gene signatures associated with metabolism, inflammation (NRG1, E2F1, NFKB1, JUN), ion signaling, transport, renal processes (SLC12A1, LOX), and key signaling pathways (VEGF, ERBB, BDNF).
  • Highlighted the role of specific genes in cellular processes relevant to kidney function and disease.
  • Confirmed the perturbation of biological processes in kidney cells and models upon antioxidant treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Medicinal plant extracts demonstrate efficacy in preventing, managing, and treating kidney diseases.
  • Further detailed characterization of molecular targets is necessary to enhance confidence in their clinical application.
  • Natural compounds offer a promising avenue for kidney disease management, pending deeper mechanistic understanding.
Keywords:
AKICKDanti-inflammatoryantioxidantnatural medicinal products

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