Renal Profile of Herbal Medicine Users versus Non-users: an Exploratory Cross-sectional Study in a Family Medicine Clinic in Nigeria

Background A major risk of herbal medicine is the potential for toxicity and serious side effects. Unlike orthodox medicine, herbs are usually consumed without prior safety assessment via clinical studies. This means the clinical effects of herbs may be detected only through an assessment of health parameters of consumers. Objective To evaluate participants’ renal profile, comparing that of herb users with non-users, thereby identifying any differences between the two groups. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Primary care clinic of a teaching hospital in Nigeria Participants 341 patients participated in the study. Of these, 60% were female and 80 % were of Hausa/Fulani ethnicity. All adult patients attending the clinic were eligible. Very sick patients were excluded from the research. Primary outcome estimated glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria and proteinuria among patients who reported using herbs and those who did not report any use. Secondary outcome electrolyte, urea, and creatinine levels among study participants. Results The mean eGFR for participants who used herbs was 87.47 ± 25.44 ml/min/1.73m2 and 84.76 ± 25.49 ml/min/1.73m2 for those who never used herbs (P value 0.48). Proteinuria ≥0.3g/l was present in 29(8.50%) of participants, and microalbuminuria ≥30mg/l in 138 (40.47%). There was no statistically significant difference in the renal parameters of both groups. Conclusion The study could not establish harmful effect of the herbs reported on kidney function. Further studies in human subjects of the effect of herbal medicine on the kidney and other systems are suggested. Strengths and Limitations ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Research and Ethics Committee of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, gave ethical approval for this work. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors.