Pharmacologically active nephroprotective plants a review

ABSTRACT

Renal diseases have always remained a major area of concern for physicians and researchers since long time. It is the ninth leading cause of death in developed countries. Renal diseases leading to renal failure has increased up to two folds over the last two decades. This is due to the over use of drugs and adulteration of food items by heavy metals and aflotoxins. Heavy metals are proven to be renal toxics. Several studies have been carried out to establish the efficacy of Nephroprotective medicinal plants. A review of the work already undertaken has been carried out and summarized here. This paper will provide a base line for researchers in this field for further studies. In this review, a summary on pharmacologically active nephroprotective medicinal plants such as, Moringa oleifera Linn., Smilax china Linn. and Euphorbia hirta etc. have been included. Since a review was already available till 2005, so in this paper the experimental studies which have been conducted from 2005 to 2012 have been included