Role of Seaweeds in Drug Induced Nephrotoxicity

Abstract

Kidney is an important organ which is necessary for the body to perform various important functions which include blood purification, expelling metabolic wastes and managing water and electrolytes balance in the body. In this era of modern science, many synthetic drugs are used on patients to examine their therapeutic properties. Unfortunately, some drugs cause negative effects resulting in renal damage. Drug induced nephrotoxicity results in serious clinical syndromes, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI). Synthetic drugs not only cure diseases but also cause some side effects in the human body. Instead of looking for synthetic drugs to cure diseases, it is necessary to consider natural drugs that maximize side effects of synthetic drugs and reduce therapeutic consequences with the most effective and dynamic healing effects. Research and utilization of marine algae have increased markedly from the last several decades. Seaweeds have also been used as drugs or drug sources over a large number of years going back into folk medicine. Since consumption of seaweeds as human food or animal feeds is increasing rapidly. In the current review, we have summarized the information regarding the drugs which cause nephrotoxicity and marine algae as seaweeds used for the treatment of nephrotoxicity.