Abstract
Recurrence and persistent side effects of present day treatment for urolithiasis restrict their use, so an alternate solution, using phytotherapy is being sought. The present study attempted to evaluate the antilithiatic properties of Tribulus terrestris commonly called as "gokhru" which is often used in ayurveda to treat various urinary diseases including urolithiasis. The activity of Tribulus terrestris was investigated on nucleation and the growth of the calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals as well as on oxalate induced cell injury of NRK 52E renal epithelial cells. Tribulus terrestris extract exhibited a concentration dependent inhibition of nucleation and the growth of CaOx crystals. When NRK-52E cells were injured by exposure to oxalate for 72 h, Tribulus terrestris extract prevented the injury in a dose-dependent manner. On treatment with the different concentrations of the plant, the cell viability increased and lactate dehydrogenase release decreased in a concentration dependent manner. The current data suggests that Tribulus terrestris extract not only has a potential to inhibit nucleation and the growth of the CaOx crystals but also has a cytoprotective role. Our results indicate that it could be a potential candidate for phytotherapy against urolithiasis.
Highlights
Nephrolithiasis is common, affecting up to 10% of the population at some point during their lifetime [1]
Figure-1 displays the effect of the different concentration of the aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris on the nucleation of calcium oxalate crystals
As the concentration of Tribulus terrestris extract was increased to 200 μg/mL, the percentage inhibition increased to 100 ± 0.001 but was reduced to 85.7 ± 0.002 for 400 μg/mL
Summary
Nephrolithiasis is common, affecting up to 10% of the population at some point during their lifetime [1]. COM, the thermodynamically most stable form, is observed more frequently in clinical stones than COD and it has a greater affinity for renal tubular cells, responsible for the formation of stones in the kidney [3]. A metabolic end product and a major constituent of the majority of renal stones, has been shown to be toxic to renal epithelial cells of cortical origin [6]. It has been observed that exposure of renal epithelial cells to oxalate which is a constituent of most kidney stones leads to a disruption of the normal activities of the renal epithelial cells such as altered membrane surface properties and cellular lipids, changes in gene expression, disruption of mitochondrial function, formation of reactive oxygen species and decreased cell viability [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
