Review Article
Identification of medicinal plants used for chronic kidney disease: An update of reported literature in South Africa
Submitted: 09 October 2022 | Published: 28 February 2023
About the author(s)
Shamanie Govender, Department of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South AfricaKarishma Singh, Department of Nature Conservation, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Roger M. Coopoosamy, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Jamila Adam, Institutional Research Ethics, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a debilitating condition that is becoming more common around the world, as well as a financial and social burden on healthcare systems. If not treated with kidney replacement therapies, kidney failure, the final stage of CKD, can be fatal. Chronic kidney disease patients are now seeking the use of alternative remedies, including medicinal plants, as the primary source of healthcare.
Aim: This review aimed to evaluate the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of CKD and other associated kidney diseases in South Africa.
Method: This article summarises previous research (2010–2021) on the impact of traditional plant-based medicine in CKD treatment and identifies the context between traditional and conventional medicines. Various scientific databases were used to source key literature.
Results: The findings of this study revealed 10 medicinal plant species from nine different botanical families that are commonly used for the treatment of CKD and other kidney-related diseases in South Africa. In addition, the study demonstrated that despite medicinal plants having toxic impacts, they were still the preferred choice of medication for CKD, especially in developing countries.
Conclusion: It is crucial to validate the balance between the risks and benefits of medicinal plants in CKD treatment to further enhance the credibility of medical plants in drug development.
Contribution: This study contributes to the existing knowledge of medicinal plants used in CKD treatment primarily in South Africa.
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Crossref Citations
1. Inhibition and dissolution of calcium oxalate crystals and kidney stones by the extract of Kalanchoe pinnata
Ranaweera Samantha, Weerasinghe Shanika, Tarannum Fatema, B. Walters Keisha
Journal of Medicinal Plants Research vol: 17 issue: 6 first page: 201 year: 2023
doi: 10.5897/JMPR2023.7296