Evaluation of antiurolithic effect and the possible mechanisms of Desmodium styracifolium and Pyrrosiae petiolosa in rats

Abstract

Chinese herbs Desmodium styracifolium (Ds) and Pyrrosiae petiolosa (Pp) have been widely used to treat urolithiasis with few side effects in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In vitro crystallization study has confirmed their prophylaxis of Calcium oxalate (CaO( x )) stones formation. However, little is known on their possible mechanisms in vivo. In the present study, we proposed to systematically evaluate their antilithic effects and clarify the underlying mechanism of Ds and Pp using a rat nephrolithiasis model and administering the aqueous extracts. Adult male Wistar rats were fed with 5% ammonium oxalate (AmO( x )) forage to induce nephrolithiasis. After 1 week, the rats were randomly divided into eight groups, and given low, medium, and high dose of each herb treatments (275, 550 and 1,100 mg/kg for Ds and 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg for Pp) by gavage for 3 weeks. In contrast to urolithic rats, urinary oxalate significantly reduced, and urinary calcium increased in medium and high dose Ds groups. Few depositions were observed in kidney with slight dilation of tubules and inflammatory infiltration. Osteopontin (OPN), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly decreased, but Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were enhanced in kidneys. In high dose Pp group, crystals were found in the dilation of tubules with slight inflammatory infiltration. Partial serum and urinary variables returned to the normal range. In conclusion, medium and high dose Ds has beneficial effect in preventing CaO( x ) stone formation by rising urinary Citrate excretion, decreasing urinary calcium, diuresis, and antioxidative effects. Although high dose Pp has relatively weak prophylaxis, it indicates significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Comparative pharmacognosy of Pyrrosia petiolosa and Pyrrosia davidii

“…ex Diels) Ching, have been used to substitute for medicinal Pyrrosia. These substitutes have not been recorded in the Chinese pharmacopoeia, however, many of them have a wide circulation in the market and display good clinical efficacy (Mi et al, 2012). For pharmaceutical workers, it is difficult to distinguish P. petiolosa from P. davidii, especially from their parts (Shi et al, 2007).…”

Antilithic effects of extracts from different polarity fractions of Desmodium styracifolium on experimentally induced urolithiasis in rats

“…In vitro crystallization study has confirmed the prophylactic effect of D. styracifolium in the formation of calcium oxalate crystals [8,9]. Further in vivo study subsequently demonstrated that the aqueous extracts from D. styracifolium inhibited CaOx stone formation by rising urinary citrate excretion, decreasing urinary calcium, diuresis, and enhancing antioxidative effects in rats [10]. We have also previously reported the antiurolithic and antioxidant activities of D. styracifolium aqueous crude extract in vivo, which is consistent with the above [11,12].…”

“…In view of the traditional medical uses of D. styracifolium in urolithiasis and the previous studies of D. styracifolium crude extract showing the antilithic activity in rats [8][9][10][11][12], we were motivated to further study the extracts from different polarity fractions, including Fr. CH, Fr.…”

Antiurolithiatic effect of ferulic acid on ethylene glycolinduced renal calculus in experimental rats

“…Medicinal plant extracts with strong antioxidant potential have shown anti-urolithiatic effects [4]. Understanding the pathophysiology of renal calculi formation and the effect of antioxidants against the process have resulted in the idea of using phyto-compounds as potential therapy for the disease [5].…”