Therapeutic effects of aerial parts of Smyrnium cordifolium ethanolic extract on ethylene glycol-induced kidney calculi in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of thymoquinone, a major component of Nigella Sativa seeds on ethylene glycol-induced kidney calculi in rats. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (intact control, ethylene glycol control, and 4 experimental groups) and treated for 28 days according to the protocol of the study. The rats in experimental groups received ethylene glycol and intraperitoneal injection of thymoquinone either from the first day of the study or the 15th day, with either doses of 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg. Blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected at baseline and on day 28. Urine oxalate and citrate and serum electrolytes were also measured. On day 29, all rats were decapitated and their kidney specimens were studied. On day 28, urine oxalate concentration significantly decreased in the experimental groups compared to the ethylene glycol group (P < .001). Also, serum calcium levels were significantly higher in the experimental groups (P = .001). Calcium oxalate deposits were smaller in the experimental groups than the ethylene glycol group. The mean number of deposits was lower in these groups, too (P < .001). Treatment with the lower dose of thymoquinone was associated with fewer deposits. Thymoquinone significantly decreased the number and size of calcium oxalate deposits in the renal tubules. The dose and duration of treatment, however, does not have a linear relation with the outcomes. Further studies on thymoquinone as a preventive and therapeutic drug for kidney calculi are suggested.

To assess the beneficial effect of different fractions of Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon) on ethylene glycol-induced kidney calculi in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, ethylene glycol, curative, and preventive groups. The control group received tap drinking water for 35 days. Ethylene glycol, curative, and preventive groups received 1% ethylene glycol for induction of calcium oxalate (CaOx) calculus formation. Preventive and curative subjects also received different fractions of C. dactylon extract in drinking water at 12.8 mg/kg, since day 0 and day 14, respectively. After 35 days, the kidneys were removed and examined for histopathological findings and counting the CaOx deposits in 50 microscopic fields. In curative protocol, treatment of rats with C. dactylon N-butanol fraction and N-butanol phase remnant significantly reduced the number of the kidney CaOx deposits compared to ethylene glycol group. In preventive protocol, treatment of rats with C. dactylon ethyl acetate fraction significantly decreased the number of CaOx deposits compared to ethylene glycol group. Fractions of C. dactylon showed a beneficial effect on preventing and eliminating CaOx deposition in the rat kidney. These results provide a scientific rational for preventive and treatment roles of C. dactylon in human kidney stone disease.

Introduction:Alcea rosea L. is used in Asian folk medicine as a remedy for a wide range of ailments. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Alcea rosea roots on ethylene glycol-induced kidney calculi in rats.Materials and Methods:Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, ethylene glycol (EG), curative and preventive groups. Control group received tap drinking water for 28 days. Ethylene glycol (EG), curative and preventive groups received 1% ethylene glycol for induction of calcium oxalate (CaOx) calculus formation; preventive and curative subjects also received the hydroalcoholic extract of Alcea rosea roots in drinking water at dose of 170 mg/kg, since day 0 or day 14, respectively. Urinary oxalate concentration was measured by spectrophotometer on days 0, 14 and 28. On day 28, the kidneys were removed and examined histopathologically under light microscopy for counting the calcium oxalate deposits in 50 microscopic fields.Results:In both preventive and curative protocols, treatment of rats with hydroalcoholic extract of Alcea rosea roots significantly reduced the number of kidney calcium oxalate deposits compared to ethylene glycol group. Administration of Alcea rosea extract also reduced the elevated urinary oxalate due to ethylene glycol.Conclusion:Alcea rosea showed a beneficial effect in preventing and eliminating calcium oxalate deposition in the rat kidney. This effect is possibly due to diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects or presence of mucilaginous polysaccharides in the plant. It may also be related to lowering of urinary concentration of stone-forming constituents.

We investigated the effect of an ethanol extract of Lygodii spora (LS) as a preventive and therapeutic agent for experimentally induced calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis with ethylene glycol (EG) in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into preventive (n = 18, for 28 days) and therapeutic (n = 24, for 42 days) groups. The preventive group was further subdivided into three groups of six rats each: preventive control, preventive lithiatic control (EG) and preventive lithiatic LS (EG + 400 mg/kg LS). Similarly, the therapeutic group was subdivided into four groups of six rats each: therapeutic control, therapeutic lithiatic control, therapeutic lithiatic untreated, and therapeutic lithiatic LS. Lithiasis was induced by adding 0.75% EG to the drinking water of all groups except the preventive and therapeutic control groups. Preventive and therapeutic subjects also received the LS ethanol extract in drinking water at a dose of 400 mg/kg, since day 0 or day 28, respectively. At the end of the each experimental period, various biochemical parameters were measured in urine and kidney homogenates. The kidneys were subjected to histopathological analysis. The results revealed that treatment with the LS preventive protocol significantly decreased the levels of urinary calcium, oxalate and uric acid, and increased the levels of urinary citrate as compared to those in the EG control. No significant changes in the urinary parameters except oxalate and citrate levels were observed in the rats in the therapeutic protocol. In both preventive and therapeutic protocols, the extract significantly decreased kidney peroxides, renal calcium, oxalate content, and the number of kidney oxalate deposits as compared to those in the EG group. We conclude that LS is useful as a preventive and therapeutic agent against the formation of oxalate kidney stones.

Forty-eight (48) male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups and treated for 30 days. Group A served as normal control and group B ethylene glycol (EG) control received 1% EG in drinking water. Groups C, D, E and F received 1% EG from day 0 and were used as the treatment subjects. Rats in groups C and D received 200 and 600 mg/kg body weight (BW) of aerial parts aqueous extract, respectively and those in groups E and F received 200 and 600 mg/kg BW of root aqueous extract in drinking water, respectively from day 14 of the experiment. The blood samples were collected on days 0 and 30, and serum level of creatinine, uric acid, urea, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were evaluated. In day 31, the kidneys were removed and prepared for histologic evaluation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) deposits. The concentrations of serum urea, uric acid and creatinine were increased (P<0.05) in group B compared with control group and were decreased (P<0.05) in treatment groups (C, D, E and F) compared with group B. The values of ALT was decreased (P<0.05) in groups C, D and E and the values of AST was decreased (P<0.05) just in groups C and E compared with group B. The number of CaOx deposits in group B was higher (P<0.05) than that in group A and in treatment groups C, D, E and F were decreased (P<0.05 compared with group B. The presented data indicate that the aqueous extract of Petroselinum sativumreduced the growth of urinary stones and hepatotxicity induction by EG in rats. We suggest further studies to establish the mechanism of toxicity or pharmacological effects of P. sativum in human. Key words: Petroselinum sativum, kidney stone, alanine aminotransferase, calcium oxalate, aspartate aminotransferase.

To investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum (H. perforatum) leaves on the kidney calculi in rats. Fifty-two Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Groups 2, 3, and 4 received ethylene glycol (EG) 1% + ammonium chloride (0.5%)-added drinking water as a stone inducer. The H. Perforatum solution was fed at the same time of EG application and was repeated once for two days until the end of the experimental period. Group 1 (control; n = 10) was provided free access to food and normal drinking water. Group 2 (EG; n = 12) received EG-ammonium chloride-added drinking water and was fed with normal chow. Groups 3 and 4 (n = 15), as EG-treatment groups, received H. Perforatum in low (300 mg/kg) and high (500 mg/kg) doses, respectively. After 28 days, the kidneys were removed and prepared for histologic evaluation of calcium oxalate deposits. Urine level of free calcium in groups EG and EG + H. perforatum (300 mg/kg) and phosphorous in EG + H. perforatum (500 mg/kg) significantly decreased compared to controls (P < .01; P < .05; and P < .05, respectively). Treatment of the rats with high dose of H. Perforatum (500 mg/kg) markedly reduced decrementing effect of EG on serum level of free calcium (P < .05). Histological experiments showed that chronic feeding of H. perforatum (300 and 500 mg/kg, orally) could significantly reduce the size and number of calcium oxalate deposits in EG group. Chronic treatment of rats with hydroalcoholic extract of H. perforatum reduced the size and number of calcium oxalate deposits in EG-induced calculi.

Urinary tract stones are one of the most common diseases in the urinary tract. Lack of kidney stone treatment causes irreparable damages to the kidneys, which has many harmful effects. Date palm pits are recommended in traditional medicine as an effective drug in the treatment of kidney stones. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of date palm pits on kidney stones induced by ethylene glycol in male rats. In this study, 40 rats were classified into five groups (n = 8), including the healthy group receiving normal water, the negative control group, the therapeutic groups with doses of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, and the prevention group with a dose of 300 mg/kg. In order to induce kidney stones, ethylene glycolated water (1%) was used as drinking water in the studied groups. Blood and urine of rats were collected on days 14 and 28 of the study to assess urinary parameters of calcium, creatinine, uric acid and phosphorus, and serum parameters of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, calcium, and phosphorus. Also, the kidneys of rats were removed from the body on day 28 of the study and were given to a pathologist for examination. Results of serum parameters shows that the use of date palm pits extract in the treatment and prevention groups with a dose of 300 mg/kg significantly (P < .05) has reduced the levels of blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, calcium, creatinine and phosphorus. Also, the results of urinary parameters show that the use of the extract caused a significant decrease (P < .05) in creatinine, uric acid and calcium in the prevention group and a significant decrease (P < .05) in creatinine and uric acid in the therapeutic group with a dose of 300 mg/kg. Pathological results show a decrease in the number and size of calcium oxalate crystals in renal tubules in the treatment and prevention groups in a dose-dependent manner. The results of this study showed that the use of aqueous extract of date palm pits has been effective in the treatment and prevention of kidney stones induced by ethylene glycol in rats.

To investigate the therapeutic effects of the aqueous extract of Petroselinum Sativum aerial parts and roots on kidney calculi. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups and treated for 30 days. Group A served as normal control and group B received 1% ethylene glycol in drinking water. Groups C, D, E, and F received 1% ethylene glycol from day 0 and were used as the treatment subjects. Rats in groups C and D received 200 and 600 mg/kg body weight of aerial parts aqueous extract, respectively, and those in groups E and F received 200 and 600 mg/kg body weight of root aqueous extract in drinking water, respectively, from the 14th day of the experiment. On the 14th and 30th days of the experiment, serum level of magnesium (1.71 ± 0.12 and 3.81 ± 0.25, respectively) decreased significantly while serum level of calcium (10.45 ± 0.26 and 11.33 ± 0.18, respectively) increased significantly in group B compared with the control group (14th day: magnesium = 2.87 ± 0.17 and calcium = 8.80 ± 0.00 and 30th day: magnesium = 6.01 ± 0.00 and calcium = 8.30 ± 0.22; P < .001). In the treatment groups of C, D, E, and F, the number of deposits decreased significantly compared with group B on the 30th day (P < .001). The weight of the kidneys increased significantly in group B (2.01 ± 0.17) compared with the control group (1.52 ± 0.07) and decreased significantly in treatment groups (P < .05). Petroselinum Sativum has a therapeutic effect on calcium oxalate stones in rats with nephrolithiasis and reduces the number of calcium oxalate deposits.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa L (NS) seeds on kidney calculi in rats. Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A received tap drinking water for 30 days (intact control). Groups B, C, and D received 1% ethylen glycol for induction of calcium oxalate calculus formation. As the preventive, and treatment subjects, rats in groups C and D received ethanolic extract of NS, 250 mg/kg, in drinking water since day 0 and day 14, respectively. Urine was collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 30 of the study period. After 30 days, the kidneys were removed and prepared for histologic evaluation of calcium oxalate deposits. Urine calcium oxalate concentrations were determined by atomic absorption. The number of CaOx deposits was significantly greater in group B (P = .001). Calcium oxalate concentrations in the urine on days 14 and 30 increased significantly in group B and were higher than those in group C (P = .006 and P = .002, respectively). Urine oxalate concentration in group D decreased on day 30 and was lower than that in group B (P = .04). Treatment of rats with ethanolic extract of NS reduced the number of calcium oxalate deposits in a group of rats that received ethanolic extract of NS. The NS could also lower the urine concentration of calcium oxalate. We suggest further studies on the therapeutic and preventive effects of the NS on kidney calculus formation in human.

Anti-Urolithiatic and Anti-Oxidant Effects of Fenugreek on Ethylene Glycol-Induced Kidney Calculi in Rats

Maternal serum uric acid, creatinine and blood urea levels in the prediction of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women attending ANC and delivery services at Bahir Dar city public hospitals, northwest Ethiopia: A case-control study

Introduction: Patients with thalassemia experience a synthesis of one of the beta chains of the globin gene, resulting in reduced hemoglobin formation. Patients with beta-thalassemia major require routine transfusions and iron chelation. Both of these cause impaired kidney function. This study aims to determine the relationship between the amount of blood transfusion and the amount of iron chelation with blood urea and saliva levels in children with beta-thalassemia major. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at Moewardi Hospital, Solo using patients with beta-thalassemia major as subjects, taken by consecutive sampling from September to November 2018. The data on blood transfusion, iron chelation, and blood urea levels were obtained from medical records. Unstimulated saliva was taken in the morning. The urease method was used to assess the salivary urea levels and all data was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Result: The results showed the mean amount of transfusion was 71.9 ± 34.3, the amount of iron chelation 61.0 ± 32.1, blood urea levels 4.41 ± 1.1 mg / dL, and salivary urea levels 35.6 ± 12.5 mg / dL. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the amount of blood transfusion and the amount of iron chelation with blood and saliva urea levels. There was also a positive correlation between blood urea and saliva levels. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the amount of blood transfusion and iron chelation affects urea levels in blood and saliva in children with beta-thalassemia major. The close correlation between blood and saliva urea indicates that salivary urea can be used as an alternative assessment of blood urea.

To investigate the therapeutic effects of the aqueous extract of Cerasus Avium stem on kidney calculi. In this experimental study, forty-eight (48) male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six (6) groups and were studied during a 30 day period. Group A served as normal control and Group B received 1% ethylene glycol in drinking water (EG group). C, D, E, and F Groups, received 1% ethylene glycol from day 1 and were used as prevention and treatment subjects. Rats in prevention groups of low dose (C) and high dose (D) extract, were gavaged with 200 and 400 mg/kg extract respectively from first day of the experiment and treatmentgroups of low dose (E) and high dose (F) extract, were gavaged with 200 and 400 mg/kg extract respectively from the 15th day of the experiment. On the 30th days of the experiment, serum level of magnesium and potassium decreased significantly in EG group compared with A,C,D,E and F groups (P &lt; .05), while serum level of calcium, creatinine, uric acid, sodium and urine level of calcium, creatinine, uric acid, increased significantly in EG group compared with A,C,D,E and F groups (P &lt; .05). In the prevention and treatment groups, the number of deposits decreased significantly compared with EG group on the 30th day (P &lt; .05). Cerasus Avium stem has a therapeutic effect on calcium oxalate stones in rats with nephrolithiasis and reduces the number of calcium oxalate deposits.

To investigate the anti-urolithiatic effect of cow urine ark (medicinal distilled cow urine) on ethylene glycol (EG) induced renal calculi. 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 equal groups. Group I animals served as vehicle control and received distilled water for 28 days. Group II to VI animals received 1% v/v EG in distilled water for 28 days. Group II served as EG control. Group III and IV (preventive groups) received cow urine ark orally for 28 days in doses of 1 mL/kg and 2 mL/kg, respectively. Group V and VI (treatment groups) received 1 mL/kg and 2 mL/kg cow urine ark orally, respectively from 15th to 28th days. 24-hour urine samples were collected on day 0 and 28. Urine volume and oxalate levels were measured. On day 28, blood was collected for biochemical parameters. Animals were sacrificed and kidneys were harvested, weighed and histopathologically evaluated for calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. To calculate the percentage of inhibition of mineralization, simultaneous flow static in-vitro model was used. EG significantly increased urine oxalate, serum creatinine, blood urea level; kidney weight and CaOx deposits. Provision of cow urine ark resulted in significantly lower levels of urine oxalate, serum creatinine, blood urea and CaOx depositions as compared to Group II. (p value < 0.05) It also significantly restored kidney weight. (p value < 0.05) Cow urine ark inhibited 40% and 35% crystallization of CaOx and calcium phosphate, respectively. Cow urine ark is effective in prevention and treatment of EG induced urolithiasis in Wistar rats.

The Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss Root on Prevention of Ethylene Glycol-Induced Kidney Calculi in Rats