Comparison of In vitro antiurolithiatic activity of Aerva lanata, sphaeranthus indicus, merremia emarginata

Abstract

Urolithiasis is a term used to describe calculi or stones formed in urinary tract. It involves the formation of calcifications in the urinary system, usually in the kidneys or ureters, but may also affect the bladder or urethra. It is a serious, debilitating problem in all societies throughout the world, affecting approximately, 12% of the population and men are three times more prone than women. It is more prevalent between the ages of 20 and 40 in both sexes. Present study is one of the attempts to compare Antilithiatic activity of various popularly known herbs with marketed formulation Cystone. Methanolic extracts of Aerva lanata, Sphaeranthus indicus, Merremia emarginata were compared with standard drug respectively by Spectrophotometric estimation of Calcium Oxalate and Calcium Phosphate dissolution models. Homogenous precipitation method was used to prepare artificial stones such as Calcium Oxalate and Calcium Phosphate and semi-permeable membrane of eggs was used as dissolution bags. Dissolution models were incubated for 72hrs and after that, the entire content in dissolution bags was estimated spectrophotometrically at 620 nms. In dissolution models all the extracts exhibited better dissolution of Calcium Oxalate and Calcium Phosphate crystals. However Cystone exhibited strong inhibitory action, whereas Methanolic extract of Aerva lanata showed almost similar activity, remaining shows considerably less inhibitory action at different concentrations than Standard. Phytochemical analysis revealed that all the plants showed presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavanoids, Lipids. Finally concluded that one of the above constituent may be responsible for the present activity. Further evaluation of these extracts as formulations are to be carry out.