Protective effect of standardized extract of Biophytum sensitivum against calcium oxalate urolithiasis in rats

Abstract

Objective: The present study investigated the antiurolithiatic effect of standardized methanolic extract of Biophytum sensitivum (MBS) against calcium oxalate urolithiasis in rats. Methods: The MBS was standardized for amentoflavone content by HPLC method. Calcium oxalate urolithiasis was induced in rats by ethylene glycol–ammonium chloride feeding in drinking water. Antiurolithiatic activity of MBS was evaluated at three doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) in curative and preventive regimen by estimating histological changes in kidney and biochemical changes in urine, serum and kidney homogenate. Cystone (500 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as reference standard drug. Results: Ethylene glycol–ammonium chloride feeding caused an increase in urinary volume, oxalate, total protein, phosphate and uric acid levels, along with a decrease in urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium and citrate. Supplementation with MBS significantly prevented change in the urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate, phosphate, total protein, uric acid, magnesium and citrate. The MBS supplementation prevented the elevation of serum creatinine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen levels. The increased calcium, oxalate and phosphate levels in the kidney of lithiatic control rats were significantly reduced by the MBS supplementation. The MBS supplementation caused a significant decrease in the lipid peroxidation of kidney tissue. Histological study revealed minimum damage and less number of calcium oxalate deposits in the kidneys of MBS-treated rats. Conclusions: These results indicated that the MBS reduced and prevented the growth of urinary stones. However, cystone (500 mg/kg) is more effective than the MBS (400 mg/kg) in alleviating the urolithiasis. This finding supports the traditional use of B. sensitivum for urolithiasis.

Keywords

• Biophytum sensitivum
• Calcium oxalate
• Ethylene glycol
• Urolithiasis