title: Nephroprotective role of salacia chinensis in diabetic CKD patients: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Present study aimed to study effect of Salacia Chinensis, a herbal drug, on stabilization of renal functions, and markers of endothelial dysfunction in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 stable diabetic CKD patients were randomized into 2 groups; group A and B of 15 patients each. Group A was given trial drug Salacia chinensis 1000 mg twice-daily while group B received placebo. Measures of renal function: Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance; markers of endothelial dysfunction: Interleukin-6 and serum Homocysteine, and lipid profile were measured at baseline and during follow-up period of 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was stabilization of renal function as measured by serum creatinine and creatinine clearance in patients who received Salacia Chinensis compared to placebo (P value < 0.05), suggesting that Salacia chinensis may retard the progression of chronic kidney disease. Similarly, there was significant decline in both serum homocysteine and IL-6 levels. [P value < 0.05 for both].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study showed a promising role for Salacia chinensis as a renoprotective drug, but further prospective studies involving large number of patients are needed to confirm this and also to delineate possible mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rana G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Surendra S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rathore
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Aruna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Govind P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049918:Salacia; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D015850:Interleukin-6; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014280:Triglycerides; D006710:Homocysteine; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine