Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 05, 2024 6 days, 14 hours, 17 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers from the Institute for Medical Research at the University of Belgrade, Serbia, have conducted groundbreaking research on the potential benefits of Urtica dioica L., commonly known as stinging nettle, in treating kidney damage associated with hypertension. In collaboration with the Institute of Pathology, University of Belgrade, they explored how the extract of this plant can combat oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in the kidneys.
Serbian Scientists Explore Healing Power of Nettle Leaves in Kidney Health
Why This Study Matters
Hypertension is a leading cause of kidney damage globally. This condition often leads to progressive kidney dysfunction, a condition exacerbated by oxidative stress and inflammation. Current treatments like losartan, an antihypertensive drug, are effective but may not address all aspects of kidney damage. Enter Urtica dioica L., a plant traditionally known for its medicinal properties. This
Medical News report delves into how its leaf extract could be a natural alternative or complementary therapy.
The Research Setup
The study involved spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a model that mirrors human essential hypertension. The rats were divided into five groups: a control group, a group treated with losartan, and three groups treated with varying doses (10, 50, and 200 mg/kg/day) of nettle leaf extract over four weeks. Researchers assessed kidney health through parameters like blood pressure, oxidative stress markers, and structural changes in kidney tissues.
Key Findings
-Blood Pressure and Kidney Function
Both losartan and the 50 mg/kg/day dose of nettle extract significantly lowered blood pressure. Interestingly, the extract’s effects were dose-dependent. The higher dose (200 mg/kg/day) did not show additional benefits over the 50 mg/kg/day dose. Importantly, albuminuria, a marker of kidney damage, decreased in all extract-treated groups.
-Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense
The extract exhibited remarkable antioxidant properties. It enhanced the kidney’s ability to combat oxidative stress by increasing the activity of key enzymes like endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). However, the expression of other nitric oxide-related enzymes, such as neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), decreased, potentially due to the antioxidant effects of the extract.
-Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Fibrotic Effects
A critical aspect of kidney damage in hypertension is fibrosis - the thickening and scarring of tissue. The study found that the nettle extract reduced the expression of fibrotic markers like collagen and fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner.
Furthermore, it suppressed inflammation by decreasing the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), molecules linked to tissue scarring and inflammation.
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Mechanisms at Work
The researchers discovered that the extract’s beneficial effects were largely independent of the NRF-2 signaling pathway, a mechanism typically involved in cellular defense against oxidative stress. Instead, the extract’s high nitrite content and antioxidant compounds, such as chlorogenic acid and rutin, appeared to play pivotal roles.
A Natural Ally in Kidney Health
This study highlights the potential of Urtica dioica L. leaf extract as a natural therapy for kidney damage caused by hypertension. By targeting oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis, the extract offers a holistic approach to preserving kidney function.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that Urtica dioica L. leaf extract could be a promising natural remedy for managing kidney damage in hypertensive patients. The dose-dependent benefits, particularly at 50 mg/kg/day, make it an attractive candidate for further research and potential clinical trials. However, the study also underscores the need for more research to understand the exact mechanisms and long-term effects of this plant extract.
In conclusion, this research opens the door to using natural compounds as complementary therapies in managing chronic diseases like hypertension. While more studies are needed, the initial findings are a testament to the power of nature in medicine.
The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202411.2392/v1
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