Herbal nephropathy – a serious condition based on the innocence of nature

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: This study aimed to discuss herbal supplement usage in population and possible harmful effects with a strong emphasis on the kidneys health.

Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed MEADLINE database of medical publications using the following keywords: herbal nephropathy, aristolochic nephropathy, herbal supplementation, Chinese traditional medicine

Results: Despite the widespread use of herbs among the general public, awareness of possible side effects appears to be negligible. The herbal medicine market is often unregulated, moreover, there are problems with correct identification of the plant, variable cultivation, its processing and the lack of accurate information about its biological activity. Possible side effects include frequent contamination of preparations with heavy metals, other substances such as hormones, aflatoxins or pesticides. In addition, herbs can directly affect the metabolism of drugs taken for specific medical indications. They are able to change the level of their absorption, metabolism in the liver and secretion. The kidneys are a special organ exposed to the harmful effects of herbs due to their high blood flow, resorption from the renal tubules and high metabolic activity. Among kidney damage, aristolochic nephropathy is the one worth mentioning, induced by the herb Aristolochia fangchi and causing a rapidly progressing kidney disease, largely ending up with the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Conclusion: The use of herbs as medical substances carries dangers. They should be prevented through proper education of the society, appropriate legal regulations and doctors' awareness of their occurrence.