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Pharmaceuticals
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Pharmacotherapy of Diseases Affecting Urinary Tract
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Pharmacotherapy of Diseases Affecting Urinary Tract

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 1531

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Priscila de Souza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Núcleo de Investigações Químico-Farmacêuticas (NIQFAR), Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Campus Itajaí, Rua Uruguai 458, Itajaí 88302-901, SC, Brazil
Interests: natural products; bioactive compounds; kidney disease; hypertension; cardiovascular disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diseases of the urinary tract are extremely varied, ranging from acute infections to chronic disorders that considerably debilitate patients' quality of life. Other common conditions include urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney stones, prostatic hyperplasia (PH), overactive bladder (OAB) and cystitis. These disorders collectively place a considerable burden on healthcare systems and require effective pharmacological interventions to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve outcomes.

Pharmacotherapy differs according to the condition, with the main treatments being antibiotics for UTIs and alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for PH. OAB is managed with anticholinergic drugs or beta-3 adrenergic agonists. On the other hand, chronic cystitis generally requires a multimodal approach using oral medications, intravesical therapies, and adjunctive treatments.

Despite these developments, several challenges persist. Antibiotic resistance has become a critical issue in the management of UTIs, with multidrug-resistant pathogens limiting treatment options. Similarly, many drugs used for chronic conditions like OAB and cystitis have limited efficacy and are associated with significant side effects, such as dry mouth, cognitive impairment, or gastrointestinal disturbances, which often lead to poor patient adherence. Current pharmacological options may not fully address the underlying pathophysiology of PH and urinary incontinence, leaving some patients with residual symptoms.

Finally, emerging research emphasizes the need for new therapeutic options. Thus, this Special Issue will summarize the advantages of using pharmacotherapy to respond to acquired resistance, reduce side effects, and further improve personalized treatments for urinary tract diseases.

Dr. Priscila de Souza
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural products
  • plant extracts and isolated compounds
  • synthesized compounds
  • modified compounds
  • drug repositioning
  • kidney stone
  • urolithiasis
  • diuresis
  • urinary tract
  • urinary tract infection
  • cystitis
  • urethritis
  • nephritis
  • renal hypertension
  • diabetic nephropathy
  • nephrotoxicity
  • renal failure
  • urinary incontinence
  • overactive bladder
  • prostatitis
  • prostatic hyperplasia

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1961 KiB  
Article
Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes Following Repeated Naringenin Exposure in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats
by Anelize Dada, Rita de Cássia Vilhena da Silva, Mariana Zanovello, Anelise Felício Macarini, Thaise Boeing, Valdir Cechinel Filho and Priscila de Souza
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(6), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18060873 - 12 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Background: Systemic arterial hypertension is one of the leading global health concerns, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, including nephrolithiasis. The treatment, still far from ideal, is constantly undergoing new alternatives. In this context, medicinal plants rich in flavonoids, [...] Read more.
Background: Systemic arterial hypertension is one of the leading global health concerns, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, including nephrolithiasis. The treatment, still far from ideal, is constantly undergoing new alternatives. In this context, medicinal plants rich in flavonoids, such as naringenin—a compound found in citrus fruits—have gained attention for their potential diuretic, nephroprotective, and blood pressure-lowering effects. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of naringenin (100 mg/kg, orally) over nine days on blood pressure, renal function, and calcium oxalate crystal formation in normotensive Wistar (NTR) and spontaneously hypertensive male rats (SHR). Methods: Key assessments included blood pressure and heart rate measurements in vivo, urine volume and electrolyte excretion in vivo, in vitro calcium oxalate crystallization, and in silico molecular docking analyses to investigate molecular interactions. Results: Naringenin treatment significantly reduced blood pressure and increased diuresis in both NTR and SHR groups, while a notable natriuretic effect was observed specifically in NTR. In vitro, naringenin reduced the formation of calcium oxalate crystals in urines from NTR. Molecular docking studies suggested that these effects may be mediated by interactions with SGLT1 and SGLT2 transporters, potentially explaining the diuretic and natriuretic outcomes. Additionally, interactions with MMP-9 and β2-adrenergic receptors may contribute to the reduction in crystal formation. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings indicate that repeated administration of naringenin exerts beneficial effects on both cardiovascular and renal parameters, and point to promising molecular targets that may underlie its protective actions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacotherapy of Diseases Affecting Urinary Tract)
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15 pages, 8269 KiB  
Article
Ameliorative Effects of Prunella vulgaris on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Induced by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in SD Rats via Nitric Oxide and Potassium Channels
by Beno Ramesh Nirujan, Jeongsook Kim, Eun-Bok Baek, Kyungmi Kim, Nishani Jayanika Jayathilake, Youn Gil Kwak, Mi Ran Jang, Hyo Seong Ji, Hyo-Jung Kwun and Kyu Pil Lee
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(3), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18030400 - 12 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to prostate hyperplasia are the most frequent urological symptoms in elderly men. Current pharmacological treatments for LUTS and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are widely used in clinical practice; however, adverse effects associated with these drugs have [...] Read more.
Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to prostate hyperplasia are the most frequent urological symptoms in elderly men. Current pharmacological treatments for LUTS and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are widely used in clinical practice; however, adverse effects associated with these drugs have been reported for sexual dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension. Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a medicinal herb that has a long history of use. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the relaxant activity of PV extract (PVE) on rat prostate smooth muscle ex vivo and evaluating intravesical cystometry for its potential. Methods and Results: Ten male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used to study the relaxant efficacy of PVE and its constituents in isometric contraction ex vivo. Thirty-six SD rats were randomly assigned to six groups of six animals (n = 6) and administered testosterone propionate (TP; 3 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks to induce BPH. Groups of BPH rats were treated with or without PVE (30, 60, or 90 mg/kg) via oral gavage. At the end of the experiments, the animals were subjected to intravesical pressure under urethane anesthesia. After successful cystometric recording, rats were euthanized with carbon dioxide. Prostate and bladder tissues were harvested and processed for histological and biochemical analysis. The results demonstrated that PVE exerted relaxant effects on prostatic smooth muscle in a concentration-dependent manner, mediated by nitric oxide and potassium channels, without antagonizing adrenergic receptors. Additionally, intravesical cystometry in SD rats treated with oral gavage of PVE for 4 weeks showed a significant improvement in voiding abnormalities. Conclusions: These findings suggest the potential of PV and its compounds as a therapeutic strategy to improve LUTS associated with BPH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacotherapy of Diseases Affecting Urinary Tract)
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