Chyawanprash: A Nutraceutical in the Treatment of Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones: Let Food Be Your Medicine

Abstract

Nephrolithiasis is a process of forming renal calculi or stones in the kidneys. Certain biochemical changes such as formation of reactive oxygen species are the potential causes for epithelial tissue damage resulting in the idiopathic formation and accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals. There are many evidences available for the protective involvement of antioxidants against oxidative stress in nephrolithiasis. Also many formulations of traditional plants having stone breaking, stone dissolving, and diuretic activities, are available in market as ayurvedic treatments for nephrolithiasis. Most of the ayurvedic formulations available in the treatment of nephrolithiasis are generally churna, syrups, tablets or capsules. Many patients show incompliance for regularly ingesting these formulations. Chyawanprash is one of the oldest and most popular Ayurvedic preparations; it is widely sold and consumed as a dietary supplement as well as health promotive and disease preventive formulation. Considering these factors the Chyawanprash formulation was made using all these traditional plants having well reported antinephrolithiatic, nephroprotective and diuretic activities to treat nephrolithiasis in effective and compliable manner. Chyawanprash is prepared as per the instructions documented in Ayurvedic texts Charaka Samhita, the ancient Ayurvedic treatise. Its evaluation is done to calculate its organoleptic properties, pH, shelf life, stability and microbial contamination, Phase separation. Hence we can conclude that Chyawanprash will no longer be just an Immunity builder but it can be used as an effective and compliable medicine for nephrolithiasis treatment. Key words: Chyawanprash, Traditional medicine, Nutraceutical formulations, Nephrolithiasis, Kidney stones, Calcium oxalate crystals.