Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Polysaccharides, particularly those derived from medicinal plants such as Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus polysaccharides), Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom), and certain seaweeds, have been investigated for their potential therapeutic effects in nephritis, especially chronic kidney diseases and glomerulonephritis. Preclinical studies (mostly in animal models) indicate that some polysaccharides may exert renoprotective effects by modulating immune responses, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting inflammatory pathways. For example, Astragalus polysaccharides have demonstrated the ability to decrease proteinuria, improve renal function parameters, and mitigate histopathological damage in models of nephritis, likely via suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, and attenuation of fibrosis-related pathways.

However, high-quality human clinical trials are scarce. Most available evidence comes from in vitro studies or animal experiments, with only a few small-scale clinical studies (often from China) suggesting beneficial adjunctive effects when combined with standard therapies. These studies often suffer from methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, short duration, and lack of blinding. As such, while the mechanistic rationale and preclinical data provide a scientific basis for the use of certain polysaccharides in nephritis, the overall evidence remains preliminary. Polysaccharides are not a standard treatment for nephritis, and their use is not broadly endorsed by clinical guidelines. More rigorous clinical research is needed to validate their efficacy and safety in nephritis patients.

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