THE LYMPHATIC LINEAGE: UNRAVELING THE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND RENOPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF GALIUM APARINE (CLEAVERS)

Abstract

This paper gives a detailed account of the phytochemical composition of Galium aparine L. (Cleavers), a herb commonly native to the world, which is traditionally known as the herb of diuretic, depurative, and lymphatic tonic properties, with a special emphasis on confirming its renoprotective properties. The study took place due to the worldwide renal disease burden as an effort to determine the bioactive fingerprint of G. aparine in order to link its ethnobotanical history with modern pharmacological knowledge. The secondary metabolite composition of the plant extract was proven to be rich through qualitative phytochemical screening of the plant extract. Central results showed that there are high levels of strong antioxidant substances, such as Flavonoids, Phenols and Tannins, and a high concentration of Alkaloids, Glycosides and Saponins. Notably, the presence of Steroids was also confirmed, while Terpenoids were absent. This profile is highly correlated with the plant’s therapeutic history: the antioxidant-rich constituents are hypothesized to combat the oxidative stress central to chronic kidney disease (CKD), while the saponins and glycosides support its traditional diuretic function. The results scientifically underpin the traditional use of G. aparine, positioning it as a promising natural candidate for maintaining metabolic and renal homeostasis and justifying further mechanistic investigation.