CONTROL OF PROTEINURIA IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY ACCORDING TO TRADITIONAL PERSIAN MEDICINE, THE EFFECT OF PLANTAGO SEEDS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is characterized by albuminuria and renal function loss (GFR) in diabetic patients. To prevent the progression of diabetes-related cardiovascular-kidney disease, a combined method including blood pressure control as well as glucose and lipid control is needed in addition to lifestyle changes. Despite blocking the renin-angiotensin system as the first line of treatment for diabetic nephropathy in a significant number of patients, the progression of kidney disease is not obtained. Considering that despite the treatments, diabetic nephropathy still develops, indicates that these treatments are insufficient and that other mechanisms are involved in the disease process! A large number of the world's population uses traditional medicine resources to control diabetes. The most important goal of treatment according to Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) is to prevent the progression of diabetes related complications, so that patient does not end up with dialysis and kidney transplant, in which case the quality of life of patient is severely compromised. Considering that there are many traditional medicine compounds available in the market to prevent diabetic complications, most of which not only do not have a favorable effect, but also cause other serious complications, it is necessary to investigate the effect of simple yet effective remedy to solve this problem. The TPM herbal product that is used in this study, Plantago major, is easily available herb that has proved effective on proteinuria in couple of scientific studies and yet have no significant side effects. In order to propose a therapeutic protocol based on TPM, it is necessary to relate symptoms of chronic nephropathy and proteinuria to that of kidney diseases mentioned in TPM resources. In this study, the researcher explains DN from the viewpoint of TPM and proposes Plantain as a potential treatment for it, based on its relevant properties mentioned in TPM resources and recent in vitro studies.