fruit extract ameliorates calcium oxalate urolithiasis in ethylene glycol induced hyperoxaluric Rat model

Alteration in oxidative/nitrosative disparity and nephroprotective effect of hydroethanolic extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum L. in gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury

Background

Antibacterial, antioxidant, and antilipidemic properties of Ocimum tenuiflorum are well known from previous studies. This study was designed to study the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant efficacy, in vivo nephroprotective activity, and immunomodulatory potential of Ocimum tenuiflorum hydroethanolic extract in gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) rat model.

Methods

Ocimum tenuiflorum extract was given for 8 days to gentamicin-induced toxicity (100 mg/kg) in rats. Nephroprotective and immunomodulatory efficacy of O. tenuiflorum extract was evaluated based on urine and serum biochemistry, blood and tissue oxidative stress indices, cytokine levels, kidney injury biomarkers, and histopathology.

Results

Gentamicin toxicity resulted in a reduction in catalase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and interleukin-10 levels in blood and tissue homogenates, while an increase in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, lipid peroxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, cystatin C, kidney injury molecule-1, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels. Treatment with O. tenuiflorum ameliorated oxidative stress, cytokine imbalance, and kidney injury; however, the results were almost similar to standard drug. Furthermore, histopathological analysis of kidney, liver, and heart tissues confirmed the organoprotective efficacy of O. tenuiflorum extract.

Conclusion

The present findings demonstrate the curative efficacy of O. tenuiflorum in gentamicin-induced AKI, probably mediated through phenolic and flavonoid phytoconstituents, antioxidant properties, and down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, future studies may be established to evaluate its efficacy and safety for clinical trials.

In-vitro and in-vivo evaluation for anti-urolithiasis potential of Ficus racemosa L. bark extract in ethylene glycol induced rat model

Even after stone removal, urolithiasis might reoccur, affecting patients' quality of life. Our study tested Ficus racemosa L. bark hydroalcoholic extract (FRBHE) for anti-urolithiasis efficacy. First, the extract was tested for dissolution of calcium oxalate as well as calcium phosphate crystal in-vitro. Also in-vivo, 0.75% w/v of Ethylene glycol (EG) for 28 days with drinking water was used to induce urolithiasis. By day 14, EG consumption developed calcium oxalate crystals, altered urine pH, urine volume, levels of minerals, and nephrological indicators in urine and serum that indicates urolithiasis. From day 15 to day 28, while EG consumption continued, FRBHE (200 and 400 mg/kg) and marketed formulation Cystone tablet (150 mg/kg) were given to rats. FRBHE treatment lowered the calcium, uric acid and urea and increase the creatinine, magnesium in urine in contrast to disease control group (P < 0.001). In plasma of EG consuming rats, level of calcium, potassium, magnesium, creatinine, uric acid and urea were elevated compared to normal rats (P < 0.001). FRBHE, similar to Cystone, normalized plasma parameters. On days 14 and 28, glutathione (P < 0.001) and catalase (P < 0.05) decreased and malondialdehyde (P < 0.001) increased in the kidney as compared to normal control group, indicating oxidative stress in urolithiatic rats. Treatment groups showed increased levels of glutathione and decreased malondialdehyde indicating oxidative stress recovery as compared to disease control group ((P < 0.001). Histopathological study of the kidney reveals medication therapy can reduce EG and calcium oxalate stone-mediated cellular damage. Current study proves Ficus racemosa L. bark may inhibit urolithiasis in-vitro and in-vivo warranting further clinical trials to confirm therapeutic efficacy.

Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) in the United Arab Emirates: Resources for Climate Resilience and Their Potential Medicinal Applications

Global climate change threatens the production, growth, and sustainability of plants. Crop wild relatives (CWRs) offer a practical and sustainable solution to these climatic issues by boosting genetic diversity and crop resilience. Even though CWRs are wild relatives of domesticated plants, they are nevertheless mostly neglected. This review focuses on the possible application of CWRs, which are found in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and are known for their abiotic stress tolerance and potential medicinal properties. In olden days, traditionally, CWRs has been used as medicine for various ailments as they are rich in phytochemical compounds. However, the medicinal potential of these wild plant species is decreasing at an alarming rate due to climate change stress factors. The medicinal potential of these native crop wild plant species must be investigated because they could be a useful asset in the healthcare sector. Research on pangenomics studies of certain CWRs is also highlighted in the review, which reveals genetic variability caused due to climate change stress factors and how these genetic variability changes affect the production of secondary metabolites that have potent medicinal value. This provides insights into developing personalized medicine, in which particular CWRs plant species can be chosen or modified to generate medicinal compounds. Despite their superior medicinal properties, many CWRs in the UAE are still not well understood. Finding the desired genes coding for the biosynthesis of specific phytochemicals or secondary metabolites may help us better understand how these substances are synthesized and how to increase their production for a range of treatments.

Plant-based therapies for urolithiasis: a systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies

PURPOSE

Urolithiasis, the formation of kidney stones, is a common and severe condition. Despite advances in understanding its pathophysiology, affordable treatment options are needed worldwide. Hence, the interest is in herbal medicines as alternative or supplementary therapy for urinary stone disease. This review explores the use of plant extracts and phytochemicals in preventing and treating urolithiasis.

METHODS

Following PRISMA standards, we systematically reviewed the literature on PubMed/Medline, focusing on herbal items evaluated in in vivo models, in vitro studies, and clinical trials related to nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis. We searched English language publications from January 2021 to December 2023. Studies assessing plant extracts and phytochemicals' therapeutic potential in urolithiasis were included. Data extracted included study design, stone type, plant type, part of plant used, solvent type, main findings, and study references.

RESULTS

A total of 64 studies were included. Most studies used ethylene glycol to induce hyperoxaluria and nephrolithiasis in rat models. Various extraction methods were used to extract bioactive compounds from different plant parts. Several plants and phytochemicals, including Alhagi maurorum, Aerva lanata, Dolichos biflorus, Cucumis melo, and quercetin, demonstrated potential effectiveness in reducing stone formation, size, and number.

CONCLUSIONS

Natural substances offer an alternative or supplementary approach to current treatments, potentially reducing pain and improving the quality of life for urolithiasis patients. However, further research is needed to clarify their mechanisms of action and optimize their therapeutic use. The potential of plant-based therapies in treating urolithiasis is promising, and ongoing research is expected to lead to treatment advancements benefiting patients globally.

Syrupy herbal formulation of green bean pod extract of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Formulation optimization by central composite design, and evaluation for anti-urolithiatic activity

The green bean pods of Phaseolus vulgaris L. are traditionally used as a folk remedy for treating calcium oxalate kidney stones. The current research aimed to develop a syrup formulation containing green bean pod extract for anti-urolithiatic activity. The syrup was prepared using a simple blending method and optimized through a central composite design (CCD) with two independent variables: the ratio of pod juice (PJ) to sugar solution (SS) ranging from 1:0.5 to 1:1.5, and the percentage of CMC from 0.2% to 0.4% w/v. These variables were analyzed for their impact on viscosity (CP) and sedimentation percentage, helping to identify the best formulation out of 13 variants. The finalized formulation (F-opt) underwent assessment for physicochemical characteristics such as organoleptic properties, viscosity, density, sedimentation rate, and stability. Additionally, a microbiological assessment was performed utilizing the spread plate method. Further, it was evaluated for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo anti-urolithiatic activity in rat models for 28 days and compared with that of the reference standard (Cystone syrup). Additionally, acute toxicity was assessed in albino Swiss mice. Histopathological evaluations were then conducted on the kidneys of the Wistar rats that had been used for the in vivo studies, providing insight into the treatment effects on kidney tissue structure. The optimized formulation (F-opt) was a green, viscous, clear syrup with a pH of 5.8, a viscosity of 256.38 CP, a density of 1.31 g/ml, and a sedimentation rate of 0.69%. The optimized formulation was found to be stable, showing no significant changes in physicochemical and microbiological properties. The results of the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo anti-urolithiatic studies indicated that the optimized formulation effectively inhibited the aggregation of calcium oxalate. The acute toxicity studies revealed no mortality or adverse effects for both the optimized formulation and pure bean pod juice at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Histopathological examination revealed that rats treated with the optimized formulation exhibited a significant reduction in both the number and size of calcium oxalate deposits within various parts of the renal tubules. It can be concluded that the syrupy formulation of Phaseolus vulgaris L. green bean pod extract demonstrated significant anti-urolithiatic activity. This activity could be due to its diuretic properties and its ability to inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. However, limitations of the study included a lack of elucidation of the mechanism and limited generalizability of the findings.