An Overview on Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Ellagic Acid in Renal Dysfunction

Background: The pathology of various diseases such as cardiovascular problems, atherosclerosis, inflammation, cancer, diabetes, and renal
dysfunction is related to oxidative damage to the cellular components. One of the main mechanisms of kidney dysfunction is oxidative stress
which occurs in response to renal ischemia/reperfusion, ultimately leading to acute renal failure. The consuming oxygen by cells produces
free radicals in the mitochondria, which are generally Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). These molecules can damage DNA that contributes
to many health problems. Reducing oxidative damage is one of the most important ways to prevent these problems, and antioxidants agents
can prevent oxidative stress injuries. Recently, multiple studies have focused on the antioxidant properties of herbal medicines. Ellagic
Acid (EA) is a bioactive compound with a wide range of pharmaceutical and industrial applications. The most well-documented effects of
EA are its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Accordingly, the current study aimed to review the previous studies regarding the
effectiveness of EA on renal injuries.
Methods: The articles were extracted by researching Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and PubMed databases. The keywords
were combinations of “Ellagic acid”, “Renal”, “Kidney”, “Nephrotoxicity”, and “Natural products”.
Results: The reported evidence identified that EA could prevent and treat inflammation and oxidative damage in kidney disorders.
Conclusion: Supported by several presented studies, this review paper has given a view on the useful properties of EA as a novel
therapeutic agent in renal diseases.