Renoprotective opportunities of Lespedeza capitata in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background. Today, issues of renoprotection have gone beyond the use of antihypertensive therapy alone. Stable glucose-lowering and urate-lowering therapy are integral parts of modern renoprotection, which improve the functional state of the kidneys by increasing the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and reducing the albumin excretion rate (AER) and the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Nevertheless, hypoazotemic therapy aimed at reducing the content of nitrogenous wastes remains the leading component of the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the study is the assessment of the renoprotective potential of the drug Libera (Lespedeza capitata) in patients with CKD stages 2–3 on the background of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and methods. The study included 107 patients with type 2 DM, aged 19 to 75 years (female — 41.1 %, male — 58.9 %), CKD stages 2–3, micro- and macroalbuminuria (category A2 and A3). The patients were divided into two groups: group I — traditional stable glucose-lowering and antihypertensive therapy (n = 50) and group II — traditional stable glucose-lowering and antihypertensive therapy in combination with Libera (Lespedeza capitata) (n = 57), which was prescribed 1 capsule t.i.d. regardless of food intake for 3 months. The criteria for the effectiveness of treatment were dynamics of GFR, AER/ACR in daily urine. The observation period for the patients was 3 months. Results. The renoprotective potential of Lespedeza capitata (Libera) was demonstrated after 3 months of treatment in the form of a significant increase in GFR in patients with CKD stage 2 in group II up to 79.0 ± 1.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 in comparison with the initial data (p < 0.01) and the results obtained in group I after 3 months of using only traditional stable glucose-lowering and antihypertensive therapy (p < 0.05). The use of Libera in the complex treatment of patients of the II group with CKD stage 3 against the background of type 2 DM for 3 months had a positive effect on nitrogen and water excretory kidney function, which manifested itself in an improvement in GFR to 56.6 ± 2.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 in comparison with the initial data (p < 0.05) and the results obtained in group I — 50.8 ± 1.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.05). In group I with traditional stable glucose-lowering and antihypertensive therapy, only 3 patients (9.1 %) transferred from category A2 to category A1 (normoalbuminuria) after 3 months and 2 patients (11.8 %) from category A3 to category A2. In group II, the appointment of Lespedeza capitata (Libera) in combination with stable glucose-lowering and antihypertensive therapy facilitated the transfer of 10 patients (27.8 %) from category A2 to A1 and 7 patients (33.3 %) from category A3 to A2 (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Lespedeza capitata (Libera) in combination with traditional stable glucose-lowering and antihypertensive therapy contributes to the preservation and improvement of the filtration function of the kidneys, a decrease in AER/ACR in patients with CKD stage 2–3 (3a і 3b) against the background of type 2 DM and proves renoprotective efficiency and safety.

How to potentialize the effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors?

The scientific review presents a practical analysis of the properties of Lespedeza capitata in terms of its attractiveness for nephrological practice. Lespedeza shows many effects on ectoderm derivatives, including skin and the kidneys. Thus, the results of studies showed significant stimulation of the growth of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, as well as increased collagen synthesis with a lipolytic effect on adipocytes. The researchers concluded the possibility of using herbal medicinal preparations of Lespedeza capitata to stimulate skin cells and tissue regeneration, for anti-aging therapy and induction of lipolysis due to flavonoid extract. Lespedeza capitata extract enhances diuresis, eliminates edema, reduces azotaemia and albuminuria, increases sodium excretion, and to lesser extent potassium, promotes renal filtration and excretion of nitrogenous products in the urine. The advantages of phytotherapy in normalizing the capillary permeability of the glomeruli are a mild diuretic effect, which prevents a significant loss of electrolytes in contrast to synthetic diuretics. These effects are now considered as potentiating the action of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system, which is the basis of renoprotection in modern nephrology. Lespedeza flavonoids improve protein-energy metabolism, which has been demonstrated in many models of acute renal failure. Correction of protein metabolism has a favourable nephroprotective effect and slows the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) while maintaining normal excretory function. Lespedeza extract can be considered as a substance that enhances the action of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi), acting synergistically in inhibiting the activity of the renin-angiotensin system. This property of the drug becomes very relevant in patients with CKD stage 5 when the abolition of RAASi today corresponds to the current trend. Maintaining a small dose of RAASi in stage 10 CKD, or the use of RAASi with extrarenal elimination in combination with Lespedeza extract demonstrates encouraging results in clinical practice.

Competition Indices Identify Forb Species That Promote Overyielding of a Dominant Grass in Grassland Restoration

Overyielding is a common phenomenon. Overyielding of dominant grasses when in competition with common forbs during grassland restoration could lead to lower plant diversity. My objective was to characterize overyielding of Andropogon gerardii in competition with fcommon forbs. I collected soils representing different stages of restoration (0, 4, and 16 years restored) and conducted a pairwise competition experiment with a dominant grass, Andropogon gerardii, in competition with four subordinate forbs (Oligoneuron rigidum L., Liatris punctata Hook, Lespedeza capitata Michx., or Desmanthus illinoensis Michx.). Relative yield indices (RY) were calculated by comparison with a two-individual monoculture of A. gerardii with both per grass biomass and per grass net absolute tiller appearance rate (TAR). Overyielding of A. gerardii was in competition with Oligoneuron rigidum was indicated by RY values (greater than1) using both biomass and TAR measurements. These findings suggest that O. rigidum should be given low priority for inclusion in tallgrass prairie restoration seed mixes.

Biological soil crusts inhibit seed germination in a temperate pine barren ecosystem

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are known to affect plants’ germination and seedling establishment in arid ecosystems, but their ecological role in more mesic climates is not so well-known. We tested the effects of moss-crusted versus uncrusted soils on seed germination dynamics in a temperate pine barren ecosystem. We conducted a 35-day laboratory assay of seed germination on moss-crusted soils versus uncrusted soils from the Albany (NY) Pine Bush Preserve. We tested total seed germination and the number of days to 50% of total germination (T50) of two herbaceous perennial forb species in each soil type. Three and five times more seeds germinated on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil for bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) and wild lupine (Lupinus perennis), respectively. Seeds of both species also germinated approximately 10 days earlier on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil. This study, and others in similar habitats, show that BSCs in mesic climates can influence germination and other early life-history stages of plants. We hope that further study of the interactions between BSCs and vascular plants in mesic climates will contribute to our understanding of the ecology of BSCs outside the arid and semiarid climates where they are more extensively studied.

Biological soil crusts inhibit seed germination in a temperate pine barren ecosystem

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are known to affect plants’ germination and seedling establishment in arid ecosystems, but their ecological role in more mesic climates is not so well-known. We tested the effects of moss-crusted versus uncrusted soils on seed germination dynamics in a temperate pine barren ecosystem. We conducted a 35-day laboratory assay of seed germination on moss-crusted soils versus uncrusted soils from the Albany (NY) Pine Bush Preserve. We tested total seed germination and the number of days to 50% of total germination (T50) of two herbaceous perennial forb species in each soil type. Three and five times more seeds germinated on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil for bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) and wild lupine (Lupinus perennis), respectively. Seeds of both species also germinated approximately 10 days earlier on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil. This study, and others in similar habitats, show that BSCs in mesic climates can influence germination and other early life-history stages of plants. We hope that further study of the interactions between BSCs and vascular plants in mesic climates will contribute to our understanding of the ecology of BSCs outside the arid and semiarid climates where they are more extensively studied.

Biological soil crusts inhibit seed germination in a temperate pine barren ecosystem

Aims: Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are known to affect plants’ germination and seedling establishment in arid ecosystems, but their ecological role in more mesic climates is not so well-known. We tested the effects of moss-crusted versus uncrusted soils on seed germination dynamics in a temperate pine barren ecosystem. Methods: We conducted a 35-day laboratory assay of seed germination on moss-crusted soils versus uncrusted soils from the Albany (NY) Pine Bush Preserve. We tested total seed germination and the number of days to 50% of total germination (T50) of two herbaceous perennial forb species in each soil type. Results: Three and five times more seeds germinated on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil for bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) and wild lupine (Lupinus perennis), respectively. Seeds of both species also germinated approximately 10 days earlier on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil. Conclusions: This study, and others in similar habitats, show that BSCs in mesic climates can influence germination and other early life-history stages of plants. We hope that further study of the interactions between BSCs and vascular plants in mesic climates will contribute to our understanding of the ecology of BSCs outside the arid and semiarid climates where they are more extensively studied.

Biological soil crusts inhibit seed germination in a mesic pine barren ecosystem

Aims - Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are known to affect plants’ germination and seedling establishment, but the ecological role of BSCs in more mesic climates are not so well-known. We tested the effects of moss-crusted versus uncrusted soils on seed germination dynamics in a temperate pine barren ecosystem. Methods - We conducted a 35-day laboratory assay of seed germination on moss-crusted soils versus uncrusted soils from the Albany (NY) Pine Bush Preserve. We tested total seed germination and the number of days to 50% of total germination (T50) of two herbaceous perennial forb species in each soil type. Results - Three and five times more seeds germinated on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil for bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) and wild lupine (Lupinus perennis), respectively. Seeds of both species also germinated approximately 10 days earlier on uncrusted soil than on crusted soil. Conclusions - This study, and others in similar habitats, show that BSCs in mesic ecosystems can influence germination and other early life-history stages of plants. We hope that further study of the interactions between BSCs and vascular plants in mesic climates will contribute to our understanding of the ecology of BSCs outside the arid and semiarid climates where they are more extensively studied.