Vitis Vinifera (Grape) and Ficus Carica (Fig) as Antibacterial Agents in Kidney Dialysis Patients: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Background: Kidney dialysis patients face significantly elevated infection risks due to immunocompromised status and invasive procedures. While Vitis vinifera (grape) and Ficus carica (fig) extracts demonstrate promising antibacterial properties in vitro, their clinical application in dialysis populations remains largely unexplored. This systematic review evaluates the current evidence for grape and fig extracts as antibacterial agents, with particular focus on their potential therapeutic role in kidney dialysis patients.Objective: To systematically review the antibacterial efficacy of Vitis vinifera and Ficus carica extracts and assess their potential application in kidney dialysis patients who face heightened infection risks.Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, identifying 1,046 papers for initial screening. Following systematic exclusion criteria, 50 studies were included in the final analysis, focusing on antibacterial activity, renoprotective effects, and clinical relevance to dialysis populations.Results: Both grape and fig extracts demonstrate significant in vitro antibacterial activity against common dialysis-associated pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Grape seed extracts show particularly strong activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 0.5-4.0 mg/mL for proanthocyanidins. However, direct clinical evidence for antibacterial efficacy in dialysis patients is limited, with only indirect evidence from anti-inflammatory studies in this population.Conclusions: While preclinical data strongly support the antibacterial potential of grape and fig extracts, substantial research gaps exist regarding their safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical efficacy in kidney dialysis patients. Rigorous clinical trials are urgently needed to establish their therapeutic potential in this vulnerable population.