Preliminary evaluation of in vitro anti-urolithiasic effect of six Algerian plant products

Abstract

The present paper reports on the preliminary evaluation of in vitro anti-urolithiasic effect (AULE) of six Algerian plant products: lemon (Citrus limon L.), orange (Citrus sinensis L.), grapefruit (Citrus grandis L.), lemon/grapefruit (1/1 ratio, v/v) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) juices, [and aqueous extract from hairy rupturewort (Herniaria hirsuta L.), the bi-distilled water being taken as reference. The AULE was evaluated, based on the ability of considered plant liquids to prevent the crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx) from the mixture of stock solutions of calcium chloride and sodium oxalate. For this, the juices and the aqueous extract to be analyzed were used as solvents to prepare the two stock solutions. The formation of CaOx was assessed by means of microscopic observation and presented in the form of images. A better AULE was observed for citrus juices, compared with bi-distilled water, tomato juice and hairy rupturewort extract. In the case of lemon juice, it was also found that the AULE is more effective when the juice acidity is adjusted to high pH values (6-7). Based on these results, citrus juices may be recommended for the prevention of urinary lithiogenesis. However, in-depth confirmatory studies are always desired, knowing that opinions are not unanimous on this issue.