Plant Extract Shields Kidneys From Cisplatin Injury
A Phyllanthus urinaria extract reduced cisplatin-induced kidney damage in mice, according to a preclinical study.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Botany
Researchers reported that an aqueous extract of Phyllanthus urinaria reduced cisplatin-induced kidney injury in mice. The findings were published in 2025 in Pediatric Discovery, and all treated mice survived.
Why it matters
Cisplatin causes acute kidney injury in nearly 30% of recipients, and current management relies on renal replacement therapy because effective preventive medicines are lacking. The study points to a possible supportive candidate, though it remains at the preclinical stage.
The study used 24 male C57BL/6 mice given a single 20 mg/kg cisplatin injection and 250 mg/kg oral extract on days 0-2, with samples collected on day 4. The extract lowered inflammatory cytokine mRNA and apoptosis markers, but the specific active compounds responsible remain unidentified.
The players
Pediatric Discovery
A peer-reviewed journal in which the study findings were published.
The details
The extract reduced blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, restored kidney tissue architecture, and suppressed Il1b, Il6 and Tnf expression. It also lowered Bax and cleaved caspase-3, raised Bcl-2, reduced malondialdehyde, and restored NRF2 and NQO1 expression.
Timeline
2025: Findings reported in Pediatric Discovery journal
Days 0-2: Oral extract treatment administered to mice
Day 4: Kidney and blood samples collected
The Big Picture
Clinical management of cisplatin-associated acute kidney injury still depends on renal replacement therapy after damage occurs, with no broadly adopted preventive drug. This preclinical extract study offers a candidate for that gap, though it must clear safety and efficacy testing before any patient use.
Any future use would depend on identifying the active compounds and completing safety testing in clinically relevant models. For now, cisplatin patients still rely on existing kidney-protection and dialysis care.
The takeaway
Preventive kidney protection during cisplatin therapy remains an unmet need, and early plant-based leads are worth tracking. Readers should treat this as preclinical evidence rather than a treatment option.
Further reading
Explore more on plant-based compounds in the Botany section.
More information
Read the original Pediatric Discovery study for full methods and results.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News-Medical.
