Unveiling the Hidden Risks: Herbal Medicine-Induced Renal Damage – A Case Series Analysis
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Herbal medications have been utilized for centuries to treat various ailments, yet their potential to induce renal damage is often underestimated. The popularity of herbal remedies, especially in rural India, stems from cultural beliefs in their holistic healing properties. Case Presentations: This case series comprises 4 patients exhibiting varied renal presentations linked to herbal medication usage. Notably, oxalate nephropathy emerged as a predominant finding. Through comprehensive clinical assessments and renal biopsies, we elucidated the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying herbal nephrotoxicity. Timely recognition and discontinuation of the offending herb, alongside tailored therapeutic interventions like corticosteroid administration, facilitated favourable patient outcomes. Conclusion: These cases underscore the importance of considering herbal remedies as potential culprits in renal dysfunction, particularly in regions where their usage is prevalent. Our findings emphasize the imperative for healthcare practitioners to proactively inquire about herbal medication use in patients with renal failure. Heightened awareness and further research into the safety and mechanisms of herbal nephrotoxicity are essential for optimizing patient care and preventing herb-induced kidney injury.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
- A new aging measure captures morbidity and mortality risk across diverse subpopulations from NHANES IV: A cohort study
- Fruit, vegetable, and legume intake, and cardiovascular disease and deaths in 18 countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study
- Are noise and air pollution related to the incidence of dementia? A cohort study in London, England
- Long COVID symptoms and duration in SARS-CoV-2 positive children — a nationwide cohort study
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.