Cynodon dactylon extract as a preventive and curative agent in experimentally induced nephrolithiasis

Abstract

Cynodon dactylon (Poaceae family) decoction was used in the treatment of kidney stones. However, no scientific study was undertaken so far to demonstrate the beneficial effect of the plant. Thus, the aim of the current study is to evaluate the effect of Cynodon aqueous extract as a preventive and curative agent in experimentally induced nephrolithiasis in a rat model. Ethylene glycol (EG) was used in the experiment to induce calcium oxalate (CaOx) deposition into kidneys. In preventive protocol, Cynodon decoction was administered in the same day with EG to evaluate the ability of the extract to prevent crystal deposition. However, in curative protocol, rats were first rendered nephrolithiasic and then the extract was administered to assess the ability of the plant to eliminate the pre-existing crystal deposition. In both protocols, urinary biochemical and other variables were measured during the course of the study. Crystalluria and renal histology were examined as well. The results showed that, in both protocols, all measured variables were similar for both the rat groups. Nevertheless, urinary biochemical analysis was apparently unaffected by the extract except oxalate in preventive protocol, and calcium, sodium, and potassium in curative protocol which were significantly highly excreted in treated rats compared to untreated animals. Crystalluria was characterized mostly by the presence of large quantities of CaOx monohydrate and CaOx dihydrate particles in untreated rats. However, crystalluria was mainly dominated by the presence of CaOx dihydrate particles with reduced size. The most apparent beneficial effect of Cynodon extract was seen in kidney tissues where reduced levels of CaOx deposition have been noticed especially in medullary and papillary sections from treated rats. We concluded that C. dactylon extract has beneficial effect in preventing and eliminating CaOx deposition into kidneys. Such findings provide a scientific explanation for its use in the treatment of kidneys stones.

Aqueous extract ofBoerhaavia diffusaroot ameliorates ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal injury in rat kidney

“…55°C). Paraffin kidney sections (6 µm thick) were cut, mounted on slides with Mayer's albumin solution, deparaffinized, rehydrated with descending grade of alcohol and finally stained with hemotoxylin and eosin (Atmani et al, 2009). The kidney sections were examined under light microscope (Lieca EZ-4D) to evaluate pathological changes and photomicrographs were taken.…”

Plantas medicinais no controle de urolitíase

“…O extrato aquoso (250 mg/kg), administrado por duas semanas em ratos portadores de nefrolitíase induzida por etileno glicol, determinou redução de deposição de CaOx e cristalúria caracterizada por cristais de menor tamanho (Atmani et al, 2009 A Boerhaavia diffusa Linn (família Nyctaginaceae), usada na Índia e Brasil (erva tostão) para tratamento da urolitíase, foi avaliada por Pareta et al (2011). Ratos com hiperoxalúria induzida por etileno glicol, foram tratados com extrato aquoso da raiz (100-200 mg/kg) por 28 dias.…”

“…Triterpenos pentacíclicos foram identificados como hepatoprotetores, hipolipidêmicos, antilitogênicos, anticancerígenos e antiinflamatórios (Barros et al, 2006). Malini et al (2000) observaram que o lupeol, um dos triterpenos, reduziu a formação de cálculos pela diluição de promotores e proteção dos tecidos.…”

“…Phyllanthus niruri: experimentação in vitro Barros et al (2003) verificaram inibição de P. niruri sobre a cristalização de CaOx. A precipitação foi induzida por oxalato de sódio em urina não filtrada de ratos Wistar e humanos, na presença e ausência de extrato aquoso de P. niruri.…”

“…Entretanto, essa inibição foi considerada relativamente fraca (10 mg/kg). Barros et al (2006) induziram a formação dos cálculos, por implantação cirúrgica de sementes de CaOx na vesícula urinária de ratos. Os animais foram distribuídos em grupos de acordo o início do tratamento: 20, 30 e 50 dias após implantação dos cálculos.…”