In Vitro Antilithiatic Potential of Kalanchoe pinnata, Emblica officinalis, Bambusa nutans, and Cynodon dactylon

Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Vitro

Background

Deposition and formation of stones in any part of the urinary system is called urolithiasis. CaOx is the predominant component of most stones, and the formation of these stones is a multistep process that includes supersaturation, nucleation, aggregation, growth, and retention. In ayurvedic medicine, medicinal plants are used for the management of kidney stones. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of aqueous, ethanol, and hexane extracts of Drymoglossum piloselloides leaves, Kalanchoe laciniata leaves, and Aegle marmelos flowers against CaOx urolithiasis in vitro.

Methods

The crystallization of CaOx monohydrate (COM) and dihydrate (COD) was induced in a synthetic urine system. The nucleation, growth, and aggregation of crystals were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The results were compared against the polyherbal drug, Cystone, under identical concentrations. Crystals generated in the urine were also observed under light microscopy. Statistical differences and percentage inhibitions were calculated using standard formulae and compared. A preliminary phytochemical screening was also performed to detect active phytoconstituents present in the three plants used in the study.

Results

The results obtained clearly demonstrated that Kalanchoe laciniata, Aegle marmelos, and Drymoglossum piloselloides have the capacity to inhibit the nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals. Microscopic examination of crystals revealed the presence of more COM than COD crystals but a dose-dependent reduction in crystals was observed in the presence of plant extracts. Hexane, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of all three plants had different capabilities to inhibit nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals but their activities were different at different concentrations. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of reducing sugars, proteins, flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenol compound in Kalanchoe laciniata and Drymoglossum piloselloides and reducing sugars, proteins, anthracene glycosides, and saponins in Aegle marmelos.

Conclusions

This study provided evidence that Kalanchoe laciniata, Aegle marmelos, and Drymoglossum piloselloides have the potential to be developed as inhibitors of nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals in the treatment of urolithiasis.

Antilithiatic effect of C. dactylon, E. officinalis, K. pinnata, and B. nutans ethyl acetate fraction on glyoxylate-induced nephrolithiasis

Background

The plants Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon), Emblica officinalis (E. officinalis), Kalanchoe pinnata (K. pinnata), and Bambusa nutans (B. nutans) have been reported to possess diuretic and antiurolithiatic potential against ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride along with in vitro calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal growth inhibition property. Our previous research publications reported a rich presence of antioxidative phytocompounds like polyphenols and flavonoids in ethyl acetate fractions of these plants. This present study aims to explore antiurolithiatic potential of C. dactylon, E. officinalis, K. pinnata, and B. nutans ethyl acetate fraction following 7 days of sodium glyoxalate treatment on mice.

Results

Sodium glyoxylate treatment caused significant (P < 0.01–0.001) reduction in the urine magnesium and creatinine and elevation in oxalate, citrate, calcium, and phosphate levels. Ethyl acetate fraction of K. pinnata and B. nutans showed a highly significant antilithiatic effect by increasing urine volume, normalizing disrupted urine parameters, increasing LDH level, and decreasing kidney tissue oxalate content. E. officinalis and K. pinnata ethyl acetate fraction treatment showed a pronounced reversal of tubular dilation and damage of epithelial cell in kidney tissue with very less inflammatory cell infiltration.

Conclusion

The results signify the protective effect of K. pinnata and B. nutans ethyl acetate fraction rich with polyphenol and flavonoid on glyoxylate induced oxidative cell damage and morphological changes in mouse kidneys.

Hydroxycitrate prevents calcium oxalate crystallization and kidney injury in a nephrolithiasis rat model

Hydroxycitrate (HCA) is a derivative of citric acid, and previous studies of HCA have revealed its ability to inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate crystals in vitro. To date, there has been little evidence proving that HCA has the same effectiveness in vivo. The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of HCA on calcium oxalate deposition and renal impairment in a male rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, a model group (glyoxalic acid), a CA group (glyoxalic acid + CA), and an HCA group (glyoxalic acid + HCA). Kidney stone formation was induced by injection of glyoxalic acid (60 mg/kg). The results showed that serum and urinary parameters were significantly improved by HCA treatment. In addition, differences in the formation of calcium oxalate crystals between groups were observed, and HCA was superior to CA in inhibiting crystal accumulation. The ultrastructure of renal tubules and glomeruli occurred in the model group, and the above lesions were significantly reduced in the HCA group. Both OPN and SOD expression levels were promoted by HCA, while CA only promoted OPN. In this article, we provided data on whether HCA affected kidney stones and the expression levels of OPN and SOD in a male rat model.