Herbal antioxidants and renal ischemic-reperfusion injury; an updated review

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR) is a pathological condition due to transient restriction of blood flow to the kidneys, which is followed by the subsequent recovery of perfusion and re-oxygenation. RIR injury contributes to the progression of renal dysfunction including acute kidney injury (AKI) in native and renal allograft transplant. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during oxidative stress contributes to the occurrence of RIR. Hence, the use of antioxidant compounds can improve oxidative stress due to RIR. This review highlights herbal antioxidant efficacy against RIR injury. The findings of this study indicate that antioxidant compounds with herbal origin could reduce complications due to oxidative stress related to RIR through diminishing lipid peroxidation, decreased production of malondialdehyde (MDA), apoptosis and increasing antioxidant enzymes activity. Reducing oxidative stress with the pharmacological approach of antioxidants can be a desirable target for ameliorating RIR.