Anti-urolithiatic activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. hydroalcoholic extract in sodium oxalate-induced urolithiasis in rats

Abstract

Background and aim: Despite advances in modern medicine, the development and growth of calculi continues to be a source of concern for mankind, as there is no effective treatment for kidney stones. In the present study we investigated antiurolithiatic activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam against sodium oxalate (NaOx) induced urolithiasis in rats.

Experimental procedure: In rats with renal calculi caused by sodium oxalate (NaOx, 70 mg/kg, i.p.); the antiurolithiatic action of Bryophyllum pinnatum hydroalcoholic extract (BPHE) was studied. BPHE was given every day orally at doses of 50, 200 mg/kg for 14 days to rats to examine activity against sodium oxalate (NaOx) mediated urolithiasis, with Cystone (500 mg/kg, p.o.) as a reference standard. The effect of the extract on urine oxalate, creatinine and phosphate retention and excretion in the kidney, as well as serum and biochemical analysis of kidney homogenate and histopathological examinations were studied.

Results and conclusion: Oral administration of BPHE at doses of 50,100, and 200 mg/kg to rats with sodium oxalate-mediated renal calculi showed dose-dependent substantial (P<0.05) antiurolithiatic potential, with notable reversal of NaOx-induced ion excretion and urinary CaOx concentration. These findings justify the traditional use of Bryophyllum pinnatum hydroalcoholic extract (BPHE) in the treatment of renal calculi.

Keywords: Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam.; Cystone; Sodium oxalate; Urolithiasis.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Histopathology of kidney tissue of (A) vehicle control, (B) Na oxalate induced calculi group, showing severe histological changes including tubular dilatation and initial cystic changes marked as (a), tubular atrophy (b), calcium oxalate crystals deposits (c) and interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration (d); crystal of calcium oxalate shown in the box (C) Cystone, standard drug treated and (D, E,and F) prophylactic treatment with BPHE at the dose 50,100 and 200 mg/kg showing moderate histological changes respectively; Microscopic magnification: 40 × .