A research paper published on Patanjali’s Renogrit, a formulation that is effective against cancer drug cisplatin’s damaging effect on kidneys, has been featured among the most notable research studies of 2024. The study titled Renogrit selectively protects against cisplatin‑induced injury in human renal tubular cells and in Caenorhabditis elegans by harmonizing apoptosis and mitophagy, was published in Scientific Reports journal in August 2024.
On this remarkable feat, Acharya Balkrishna stated that the success of the Ayurvedic formulation is a significant step in establishing the scientific credibility of Ayurveda on a global scale. The research paper has been ranked among 100 best papers in the “Scientific Reports” journal of prestigious “Nature Portfolio” publication. Scientific Reports is the 5th most-cited journal globally.
Renogrit is a plant-derived prescription medicine which has renoprotective properties against cisplatin-induced injury. “Renogrit treatment decreases the renal tubular cell injury by mitigating cisplatin-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, necroptosis, mitophagy, and inflammation by targeting multiple pathways of cell injury without affecting the anti-cancer potential of cisplatin.” the researchers have said.
Renogrit is made of extracts from seven herbs namely: Achyranthes aspera L. (Apamarg), Saxifraga ligulata Murray (Pashanbhed), Butea frondosa Roxb. ex Willd. (Palash), Crateva nurvala Buch.-Ham. (Varun), Boerhavia difusa L. (Punarnavamool), Cichorium intybus L. (Kasni), and Tribulus terrestris L. (Gokharu). These herbs have antioxidant properties.
Cisplatin or cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II is a powerful chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers, including esophageal, testicular, head and neck, bladder, ovarian, breast, cervical, uterine, stomach, small-cell and non-small cell lung cancers. It works by binding to DNA in cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and leading to cell death.
Despite its effectiveness, cisplatin has severe side effects, primarily nephrotoxicity (kidney damage), along with nausea, vomiting, and nerve damage. This is precisely the reason which makes cisplatin an indispensable anti-cancer agent but that also becomes a challenge to protect the healthy cells like normal renal tubular cells from innocent bystander death. Clinically, cisplatin-induced kidney damage is observed in nearly one-third of patients undergoing treatment. Approximately, 40% of these patients fail to complete the therapy due to renal impairment thereby affecting the patients’ survival rate.
The researchers have said that Renogrit shows potential as a clinical candidate to reduce cisplatin-induced kidney toxicity while preserving its anti-cancer effects. The phytopharmacological profile of the medicine was analyzed using in vitro and Caenorhabditis elegans based models.
“It demonstrates that when ancient wisdom is tested on modern scientific parameters, it yields groundbreaking results,” Acharya Balkrishna, who is also the first author of the study, has said.
