Anti-urolithiasis activity of <em>Vaccinium macrocarpon</em> fruits: An <em>in vitro </em>study

Abstract

Objective: To perform the phytochemical screening and in vitro Calcium Oxalate anti-urolithaitic activity of Vaccinium macrocarpon aqueous and ethanolic fruit extracts. Methods: The aqueous and ethanolic extracts from, fruit pulp was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening and the anti-urolithiasis activity was evaluated on in vitro models like Calcium Oxalate dissolution assay, Calcium Oxalate nucleation and aggregation assay. Results: Following the phytochemical screening it was concluded that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts were found to be rich in flavonoids, steroids, phenols, coumarins, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. The anti urolithiatic activity was found to be dose dependent. A 35.6±0.06 and 33.43±0.02 percentage of Calcium Oxalate nucleation was exhibited by the 40mg/ml aqueous and methanolic extracts respectively, while percentage inhibition of Calcium Oxalate aggregation was found to be 32.2±0.06 and 34.6±0.02 by 40mg/ml dilution of aqueous and methanolic extracts respectively. However the aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited a higher capacity to dissolve the Calcium Oxalate crystals prepared homogenously. Percentage inhibitions of 44.2±0.06 and 47.3±0.02 were shown by the aqueous and methanolic extracts respectively. Conclusions: The study indicates that the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Vaccinium macrocarpon fruits showed inhibition against the important phases of Calcium Oxalate urolithiasis like nucleation and aggregation. It also aids the dissolution of the Calcium Oxalate crystals prepared. Owing to the rich presence of polyphenols and flavanoids, Vaccinium macrocarpon proves to be an easily available and a beneficial alternative or adjunctive treatment for Calcium Oxalate urolithiasis. Further in vivo and clinical explorations are required to confirm the efficacy of Vaccinium macrocarpon as an antiurolithiatic.