Traditional herbal remedies used in kidney diseases in Turkey: an overview (original) (raw)

2021, TURKISH JOURNAL OF BOTANY

Introduction Kidney diseases are a significant public health problem which can lead to end-stage kidney failure and serious complications. The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease that causes high morbidity and mortality has reached to alarming levels all over the world. It is estimated that nowadays more than 1.4 million patients undergoing renal replacement therapy worldwide (Kazancıoğlu, 2013; Bikbov et al., 2020). According to the latest reports chronic kidney disease affects approximately 15.7% of population in Turkey (Ateş, 2020). Since there are some preventable risk factors leading to kidney diseases, identification of them is essential to maintain individual health and inhibition of progression of the disease. Kidney diseases associated with smoking, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been well documented. Moreover, factors such as race, gender, age, and family history have also been considered (Kazancıoğlu, 2013; Ateş, 2020). Despite the advancement in medical science, there are few treatment methods to cure kidney diseases. Patients have looked for more affordable, accessible and reliable options, therefore, the use of herbal remedies or natural products has gained much attention (Touwaide et al., 2005; Karimi et al., 2017). Medicinal plants have been serving mankind in treating diseases and improving health since ancient times. In recent years, scientific researches have proven that bioactive compounds from medicinal plants offer a good and safer alternative to modern synthetic drugs (Cotton, 1996; Baytop, 1999; Kendir and Güvenç, 2010; Yeşilada, 2013). The uses of traditional herbal remedies for the treatment of kidney diseases are common in many countries. Several medicinal plants such as Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, Harpagophytum procumbens DC. ex Meissner, Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim, Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers, Astragalus sp. and Rheum sp. have been used by local people for various kidney problems, especially in Europe and Asia (Heinrich et al., 2012; Singh and Sharma, 2013; Zhong et al., 2013). In many countries, benefit from natural resources for medicinal use and other purposes are closely linked with the floristic richness and the accumulation of Abstract:Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal studies have become increasingly recognised as a valuable source of information on the use and possible pharmacological activity of many plant species. There is no study presenting traditional herbal remedies used for kidney diseases in Turkey. The purpose of the paper is to compile herbal remedies used in kidney diseases in Turkey with detailed usage information and chemical constituents. The botanical names, families, and local names; used parts; preparation methods; administration/ dosage; kidney problems and chemical constituents were presented by screening ethnobotanical, ethnomedicinaland phytochemical studies. The most cited plant families, the most cited genera, and the most frequently used plant parts were determined and presented in graphics. In total, 300 taxa belonging to 70 families were determined as being traditional herbal remedies used in kidney diseases. Asteraceae (57), Lamiaceae (33), Rosaceae (30), Fabaceae (16), Malvaceae (15), Apiaceae (13) and Poaceae (10) were found as the most cited plant families. The most cited genera were Helichrysum (44), Equisetum (27), Tribulus (23), Urtica (23), Rosa (17), Alcea (14), Hypericum (14) and Paliurus (14), respectively. It was found that the aerial parts were the most frequently used part of theplant, accounting for 28%. Following in this category are leaves (19%), flowers (14%), fruits (14%), underground parts (13%), seeds (5%), stem (3%), and other parts (4%). The pharmacological studies of the most cited genera were also reviewed to confirm the efficacy of these plants inthe treatment of kidney diseases. It is concluded that a number of pharmacological and phytochemical research support the traditional usage of plants, but further studies are needed. Our findings are expected to be the basis for candidate pharmaceutical products.