From Plants to Protection: Cardiorenal Benefits in Non-Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease and Heart Failure

Non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) refers to the progressive and irreversible decline in kidney function occurring in the absence of diabetes mellitus—a distinction that sets it apart from the more prevalent diabetic CKD. While diabetic nephropathy remains the leading cause of CKD globally, ND-CKD encompasses a heterogeneous group of etiologies, including hypertensive nephrosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, and interstitial nephritis. Its incidence and prevalence are steadily increasing, particularly in aging populations, and are often underrecognized. Importantly, ND-CKD is not a benign entity; it independently contributes to systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation, which in turn amplify cardiovascular risk. Among the most severe complications is heart failure (HF), a complex syndrome arising from structural and functional impairments in cardiac performance. Despite ongoing advancements in HF management, mortality remains unacceptably high, ranging from 2–3% at 30 days to up to 50–75% over five years. Standard pharmacologic therapies frequently fall short in halting disease progression and may provoke undesirable side effects. This therapeutic gap has spurred growing interest in natural compounds with multi-targeted effects. Bioactive molecules such as arjunolic acid, kaempferol, luteolin, and resveratrol have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may offer dual benefits for both renal and cardiac function. By modulating shared molecular pathways—including those involved in inflammation, oxidative damage, and cellular dysfunction—these agents hold promise as adjunctive treatments in ND-CKD complicated by heart failure.