This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger),
Arabic gum (AG), and Boswellia on both acute and
chronic renal failure (CRF) and the mechanisms underlying their effects.
Acute renal failure was induced by 30 min
ischemia followed by 24 h reperfusion, while CRF was induced by
adenine feeding for 8 weeks. Prophylactic
oral administration of ginger, AG, Boswellia, or vehicle (in control groups) was started 3 days before and along with
adenine feeding in different groups or 7 days before
ischemia-reperfusion. Ginger and AG showed renoprotective effects in both models of
renal failure. These protective effects may be attributed at least in part to their anti-inflammatory properties as evident by attenuating serum
C-reactive protein levels and
antioxidant effects as evident by attenuating lipid peroxidation marker,
malondialdehyde levels, and increasing renal
superoxide dismutase activity. Ginger was more potent than AG in both models of
renal failure. However, Boswellia showed only partial protective effect against both
acute renal failure and CRF and it had no
antioxidant effects. Finally, we can say that ginger and AG could be beneficial adjuvant
therapy in patients with
acute renal failure and CRF to prevent
disease progression and delay the need for
renal replacement therapy.