An Explanation of the Underlying Mechanisms for the In Vitro and In Vivo Antiurolithic Activity of Glechoma longituba

Abstract

Purpose. To use in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate Glechoma longituba extract to provide scientific evidence for this extract's antiurolithic activity. Materials and Methods. Potassium citrate was used as a positive control group. Oxidative stress (OS) markers and the expression of osteopontin (OPN) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were measured to assess the protective effects of Glechoma longituba. Multiple urolithiasis-related biochemical parameters were evaluated in urine and serum. Kidneys were harvested for histological examination and the assessment of crystal deposits. Results. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that treatment with Glechoma longituba extract significantly decreased calcium oxalate- (CaOx-) induced OPN expression, KIM-1 expression, and OS compared with the positive control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, in vivo rats that received Glechoma longituba extract exhibited significantly decreased CaOx deposits and pathological alterations (P < 0.05) compared with urolithic rats. Significantly lower levels of oxalate, creatinine, and urea and increased citrate levels were observed among rats that received Glechoma longituba (P < 0.05) compared with urolithic rats. Conclusion. Glechoma longituba has antiurolithic effects due to its possible combined effects of increasing antioxidant levels, decreasing urinary stone-forming constituents and urolithiasis-related protein expression, and elevating urinary citrate levels.

Antioxidant Pre-Treatment Reduces the Toxic Effects of Oxalate on Renal Epithelial Cells in a Cell Culture Model of Urolithiasis

“…For the first two models, an important step in the formation of the stone is endothelial damage [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Researchers in pathogenesis of calcium oxalate stone formation have shown that oxalate-induced generation of oxidative stress could play a significant role in endothelial damage [ 12 , 13 ]. Increased quantities of oxalate could trigger the production of reactive oxygen species in kidneys leading to endothelial injury and apoptosis, which could provide sites for crystal formation [ 14 , 15 ].…”

<i>Glechoma longituba</i> (Lamiaceae) alleviates apoptosis in calcium oxalate-induced oxidative stress in kidney proximal tubule epithelial cell line, HK-2

“…Among them, phenolic acids, such as caffeic, rosmarinic, chlorogenic acids, and flavonoids possess promising antioxidant properties [17][18][19]. Liang et al have shown that Glechoma longituba had anti-urolithic affects via inhibiting urinary stone formation and urolithiasisrelated protein expression levels, and elevating antioxidant levels [20].…”

Antiurolithiatic effects of pentacyclic triterpenes: The distance traveled from therapeutic aspects

“…Several studies have shown that oxalate-induced oxidative stress could play a significant role in endothelial damage (Joshi, Peck, & Khan, 2013;Liang et al, 2016). The elevated concentration of oxalate could trigger the production of ROS in kidneys leading to endothelial injury and apoptosis, which could provide sites for stone formation (Cikman et al, 2015;Razzaghi, Garrido, Khazraei, Borges, & Firuzi, 2013;Zuo, Khan, Glenton, & Khan, 2011).…”