Astragalus has long been believed to have the effects of replenishing qi and strengthening the surface, diuresis and swelling.
However, in recent years, there has been a lot of public concern about the possibility of kidney damage from astragalus.
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In fact, astragalus is not an herb that is harmful to the kidneys. On the contrary, modern pharmacological studies have shown that astragalus has a protective effect on the kidneys.
A variety of active ingredients in Astragalus, such as Astragalus polysaccharides, Astragalus saponins, Astragalus flavonoids, amino acids and trace elements, etc., work together on the kidneys to exert their pharmacological effects.
Especially in the treatment of kidney diseases such as nephrotic syndrome, astragalus has shown remarkable results.
The protective effect of astragalus on the kidneys is mainly reflected in several aspects. It can improve the permeability of the glomerular filtration membrane and reduce the excretion of protein in the urine, thus helping to treat diseases such as nephrotic syndrome.
Astragalus has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can reduce the inflammatory response of the kidneys, scavenge free radicals, and protect kidney cells from oxidative stress.
In addition, astragalus can also regulate the immune system, enhance the body's immunity, and have a certain therapeutic effect on autoimmune kidney disease.
In terms of clinical application, astragalus and its active ingredients are widely used in the treatment of a variety of kidney diseases, especially nephrotic syndrome.
The application of astragalus can reduce the patient's proteinuria, increase the plasma albumin level, and reduce blood lipids, thereby improving the patient's clinical symptoms and quality of life.
In addition, astragalus is also used in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, and its hypoglycemic effects and ability to improve diabetic complications are supported by scientific research.
In recent years, research on Astragalus and its active ingredients has been deepened. Through animal experiments and clinical trials, researchers have explored the therapeutic mechanism of astragalus for kidney diseases, and found that astragalus can exert its role in protecting the kidneys through a variety of ways.
For example, astragalus polysaccharides can reduce kidney inflammation by regulating the expression of cytokines; Total flavonoids from Astragalus can improve the progression of kidney disease by improving renal fibrosis and maintaining the integrity of the renal filtration barrier.
There are many benefits to soaking in water, but there are also a few things to be aware of
However, while enjoying its health benefits, there are also a few things to be aware of to ensure safe and effective use of astragalus.
Choosing a high-quality astragalus is crucial. Buy clean, impurity-free astragalus and avoid products that are inferior or have other impurities added. High-quality astragalus can not only ensure the efficacy of the drug, but also reduce the adverse effects on the body.
It is important to drink in moderation. Despite its benefits, astragalus should not be consumed in excess. Generally speaking, 10-15 grams of astragalus per day is more appropriate.
Excessive use of astragalus may cause physical discomfort and even adverse reactions, so it is necessary to pay attention to controlling the amount of drinking.
In addition, care needs to be taken to avoid concomitant use with certain medications. Astragalus may interact with certain drugs, such as chemotherapy drugs, and should be avoided at the same time to avoid affecting the efficacy of the drug.
While using Astragalus, it is advisable to consult a doctor or TCM practitioner, especially for patients with a history of long-term drug use or chronic medical conditions.
Although there are many benefits of drinking astragalus in water, it is still necessary to be cautious about the use of traditional Chinese medicine, especially for long-term and large use.
The complexity of TCM and the unpredictability of drug-organism interactions make it a challenge to study the toxicity and safety of TCM, and some TCMs or ingredients have been shown to be harmful.
Aristolochic acid ingredients
Aristolochic acid, an organic compound found in Aristolochiaceae, has attracted attention for its potential for kidney toxicity. This substance is not only found in traditional Chinese medicine, but also in certain wild plants, such as Guan Mu Tong and Guang Fang Ji.
Long-term or high intake of aristolochic acid may lead to a condition known as Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN), which is characterized by interstitial fibrosis, a pathological process in which the structure and function of the kidneys are impaired, and may eventually lead to acute or chronic renal failure.
The nephrotoxicity of aristolochic acid manifests itself primarily as direct damage to renal tubular epithelial cells, which are responsible for filtering and excreting waste products in the kidneys.
Studies have shown that aristolochic acid can form adducts with DNA, leading to mutations in the genetic material within cells, which can trigger the development of kidney disease. Not only do these mutations lead to decreased kidney function, but they may also increase the risk of urothelial cancer.
The clinical manifestations of aristolochic acid nephropathy are varied, and there may be no obvious symptoms in the early stage, but as the disease progresses, patients may experience symptoms such as low back pain, fatigue, hematuria, and proteinuria.
Pathologically, renal interstitial fibrosis is typical of AAN, a process involving the death of renal tubular cells, excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix, and sustained activation of the inflammatory response.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the study of aristolochic acid nephropathy. Through animal models and clinical studies, scientists have delved into the specific mechanism by which aristolochic acid causes kidney damage.
Studies have found that aristolochic acid can activate a variety of signaling pathways, such as TGF-β/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, which play a key role in the occurrence and development of renal interstitial fibrosis.
Due to the irreversible nature of aristolochic acid nephropathy, prevention is particularly important. At present, avoiding the use of traditional Chinese medicines containing aristolochic acid is the most effective measure to prevent AAN.
In terms of treatment, although there is no specific drug, symptomatic treatment such as controlling blood pressure and reducing proteinuria can slow down the progression of the disease.
In addition, dialysis and kidney transplantation are currently the mainstay of treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease.
2. Traditional Chinese medicine containing alkaloids
Alkaloid traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in the application of traditional Chinese medicine and is widely used in clinical treatment because of its unique pharmacological activity.
This class of drugs contains organic compounds of nitrogen, mainly derived from plants, and has a variety of biological activities, including antiviral, antibacterial, antitumor, etc.
However, along with its biological activity comes safety concerns, particularly its potential impact on kidney health.
Some of the ingredients in alkaloid Chinese medicine may cause damage to the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure.
For example, the alkaloids contained in Tripterygium wilfordii and Turbidium sinensis may, if used incorrectly, cause kidney damage manifested by hematuria, proteinuria, casts of urine, low back pain, and renal percussion tenderness, and in severe cases, may even lead to acute kidney failure.
The nephrotoxicity of these TCMs may be related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammatory responses, etc.
In clinical application, the dosage and use of alkaloid traditional Chinese medicine need to be strictly controlled. In patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency, these drugs should be used with caution or avoided.
In addition, special care is also required with long-term or high-dose use of these herbs to avoid potential kidney damage.
In recent years, scientists have conducted in-depth research on the safety of alkaloid traditional Chinese medicines. Through animal experiments and clinical observations, researchers have explored the mechanism of the effects of these herbs on the kidneys and tried to find ways to reduce their toxicity.
In order to prevent kidney damage caused by alkaloid TCM, doctors and patients need to work together. Doctors should prescribe drugs reasonably according to the specific situation of the patient and avoid unnecessary drug combinations.
When using these Chinese medicines, patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions and do not increase or decrease the dose or extend the course of treatment. As soon as symptoms of kidney damage appear, the drug should be stopped immediately and medical help should be sought.
Through scientific and rational medication and monitoring, the risk of kidney damage that may be caused by alkaloid traditional Chinese medicine can be minimized and the health and safety of patients can be guaranteed.
3. Traditional Chinese medicine containing heavy metals
In the world of traditional Chinese medicine, medicinal materials containing heavy metals have attracted much attention due to their special efficacy and potential toxicity risks.
Among them, cinnabar and realgar are the two most well-known medicinal materials, which contain two heavy metal elements, mercury and arsenic, respectively.
However, while they are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat certain conditions, their potential toxicity also raises concerns, particularly the possible adverse effects on kidney health.
Cinnabar, whose chemical composition is mercury sulfide (HgS), is often used in traditional Chinese medicine to tranquilize and condescend. However, mercury is a toxic heavy metal, and its toxicity is closely related to its chemical form.
Although the mercury sulfide in cinnabar is not easily soluble in water, it is still possible to convert to a more toxic form under certain conditions, such as stomach acid.
Long-term or large intake of cinnabar may lead to the accumulation of mercury in the kidneys, which in turn can cause kidney damage, manifesting as proteinuria and decreased kidney function.
Realgar, the main component of which is tetraarsenic tetrasulfide (As4S4), is often used in traditional Chinese medicine for swelling, insecticide, detoxification and other purposes. However, arsenic is also a toxic element, and its toxicity is also related to its chemical form.
The accumulation of arsenic in realgar in the kidneys may lead to acute or chronic kidney injury, and clinical manifestations may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hematuria.
In recent years, scientists have conducted in-depth research on the toxicity of heavy metal elements in traditional Chinese medicine.
Studies have shown that the toxicity of heavy metals varies greatly in different valence states and chemical forms. Therefore, it is unreasonable to evaluate the safety of TCM only by the total content of heavy metals in TCM.
In view of the potential risks of heavy metal-containing TCMs, preventive and therapeutic measures are crucial. The dosage and duration of use of such traditional Chinese medicines should be strictly controlled, and long-term large-scale use should be avoided.
In patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency, these drugs should be used with caution or avoided. During use, kidney function should be monitored regularly, and as soon as signs of kidney damage are found, the drug should be discontinued immediately and medical help should be sought.
4. Contains other toxic ingredients classified as traditional Chinese medicine
Some herbs may cause kidney damage due to the presence of specific toxic ingredients, such as croton and tripterygium wilfordii.
Croton is rich in crotonol and other components, which are highly irritating and toxic, and may trigger digestive tract inflammation, kidney damage and even poisoning death.
Tripterygium wilfordii contains a variety of alkaloids, especially tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides, although it has shown efficacy in the treatment of some kidney diseases, its kidney toxicity cannot be ignored.
Given the potential renal toxicity of croton and tripterygium wilfordii, these herbs should be used with caution in clinical practice. During use, the patient's renal function should be closely monitored, and once abnormalities occur, the drug should be stopped immediately and corresponding treatment measures should be taken.
For patients who have already developed kidney damage, blood purification treatment should be carried out in time to remove toxins from the body and reduce the burden on the kidneys.
In conclusion, for these TCMs containing specific toxic ingredients, rational use and careful monitoring are key measures to ensure patient safety.
References are as follows:
[1] Research progress of Astragalus membranaceus and its active ingredients in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome
[2] Total flavonoids of Astragalus membranaceus protect the glomerular filtration barrier of diabetic nephropathy
[3] Research progress in aristolochic acid nephropathy
[4] Triptolide inhibits ferroptosis and attenuates acute kidney injury through the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway
[5] To study the differential transport mechanism of cinnabar and mercury-containing compounds.
[5] Toxic side effects of Tripterygium wilfordii and its rational application in kidney disease