Anti-Urolithiatic and Nephroprotective Activity of Quercetin and Betulin in Conjunction with a Bio Enhancer – An in Vivo Study

Abstract

Background: In the Indian Traditional system of Medicine, the herbal drug Aerva lanata was widely used in the management of urolithiasis. In the present study, a bioenhancer was used to evaluate the potential of constituents quercetin and betulin isolated from the plant A.lanata. Objective: In the present study, the isolated compounds quercetin and betulin from the plant A.lanata were screened for in vivo anti-urolithiasis and nephroprotective activities. Methodology: In the Wistar albino rats, urolithiasis was induced by ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v) to study the anti-urolithiatic activity. The animals were divided into seven groups of 6 animals in each group (n=6). The study period was for 28-day treatment with quercetin and betulin in combination with piperine as bio enhancers in nephrolithiasis induced rats. The Nephroprotective effect was also investigated in Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity animal model. Cystone (750 mg/kg) was used as a standard. Biochemical parameters such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, and creatinine in the serum were determined. Renal calculi were determined in kidney homogenate and histopathology was also examined. Results: With the test drug treatment, animals showed increased urine volume significantly, also the renal tissue exhibited a reduction in the calculi formation. In the disease control animals, there was an increase in the serum BUN, uric acid, and creatinine significantly. Serum analysis revealed a significant reduction (*p<0.001) in the levels of BUN, uric acid, and creatinine in treated rats. Histopathological studies disclosed an improvement in the anatomical aspect of renal tissue. Conclusion: It was concluded that quercetin and betulin exhibited anti-urolithiatic effect by a reduction in the formation of calculi. The current study provided a rationale for the combination of piperine, quercitin, and betulin.