Potential Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Plant-Based Foods and Medicinal Plants in Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis: A Systematic Review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #plants-medicinal #renal-insufficiency-chronic #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #phytochemicals

Potential Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Plant-Based Foods and Medicinal Plants in Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis: A Systematic Review

Josa et al., 2024 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Josa Esmeralda, Barril Guillermina, Ruperto Mar. Potential Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Plant-Based Foods and Medicinal Plants in Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2024-Dec-14;16(24). doi:10.3390/nu16244321

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The bioactive components of plant foods and medicinal plants have attracted interest due to their potential impact on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a critical and quantitative systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the potential effects of selected phytochemicals from plant-based foods and medicinal plants in CKD and dialysis patients. METHODS: The review included studies that related plant-based bioactive compounds (curcumin, propolis, sulforaphane, betalain, catechins, rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin, flavonoids, and triptolide) and medicinal plants (green tea, rhubarb, Astragalus membranaceus, and Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F) in CKD and dialysis patients. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, LILACS, Embase, Scopus, and WOS between December 2022 and October 2024. This review was performed according to the PRISMA flowchart and was registered in PROSPERO (595162). RESULTS: In the eight RCTs conducted with curcumin, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and microbiota-modulating properties were reported. As for propolis, in three RCTs, anti-inflammatory, anti-proteinuric, and renal-protective properties were reported. Sulforaphane in one RCT showed antioxidant and cardiovascular benefits, and in another RCT no effects were observed. In one RCT, genistein was shown to be a potential anti-inflammatory agent and improved nutritional status. Allicin in two RCTs showed cardioprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects. Finally, beetroot showed a vasodilator effect in one RCT. As for the medicinal plants, green tea, rhubarb, Astragalus membranaceus, and Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook F, in six RCTs they showed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antiproteinuric, and renoprotective properties. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bioactive compounds of plant-based foods and medicinal plants have promising effects in terms of preventing or treating CKD progression and appear to improve inflammation and antioxidant capacity and support cardiovascular benefits and renoprotective effects; however, it is recommended that further studies be carried out.

Key Findings

In the eight RCTs conducted with curcumin, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and microbiota-modulating properties were reported. As for propolis, in three RCTs, anti-inflammatory, anti-proteinuric, and renal-protective properties were reported. Sulforaphane in one RCT showed antioxidant and cardiovascular benefits, and in another RCT no effects were observed. In one RCT, genistein was shown to be a potential anti-inflammatory agent and improved nutritional status. Allicin in two RCTs showed cardio

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition inflammation

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Phytochemicals
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Antioxidants
  • Plants, Edible
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Phytotherapy

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: garlic

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09