Inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallisation in vitro by an extract of Bergenia ciliata

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of an extract obtained from the rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (Saxifragaceae) on the inhibition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystallisation in vitro.Materials and methodsA hydro-alcoholic extract (30:70, v/v) of rhizomes of B. ciliata was prepared at different concentrations (1–10 mg/mL). The crystallisation of CaOx monohydrate (COM) was induced in a synthetic urine system. The nucleation and aggregation of COM crystals were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The rates of nucleation and aggregation were evaluated by comparing the slope of the turbidity of a control system with that of one exposed to the extract. The results were compared with a parallel study conducted with a marketed poly-herbal combination, Cystone, under identical concentrations. Crystals generated in the urine were also analysed by light microscopy. Statistical differences and percentage inhibitions were calculated and assessed.ResultsThe extract of B. ciliata was significantly more effective in inhibiting the nucleation and aggregation of COM crystals in a dose-dependent manner than was Cystone. Moreover, the extract induced more CaOx dihydrate crystals, with a significant reduction in the number and size of COM crystals.ConclusionAn extract of the traditional herb B. ciliata has an excellent inhibitory activity on crystalluria and therefore might be beneficial in dissolving urinary stones. However, further study in animal models of urolithiasis is needed to evaluate its potential anti-urolithiatic activity.

Blumea Balsamifera(Sambong) Tea as a Therapeutic Drink for Calcium Oxalate Stones

“…Extract from the seeds of Khella were shown to decrease the surface free energy and shift the morphology of calcium oxalate crystals from the monohydrate to calcium oxalate dihydrate [6]. A similar shift in morphology was shown by the extract of Bergenia ciliata, and was shown to be more effective in inhibiting nucleation and aggregation of COM crystals when compared with cystone [7]. Alok et al listed a total of 82 plants and their parts traditionally regarded to be herbal drugs used in the treatment of kidney stone, gall stone and urinary stone [8].…”

Study of in Vitro Anti-Lithiatic Effect of Ipomoea Batatas (L) Leaves and Tuberous Roots

“…Nucleation assay was done by following turbidity method, and nucleation of calcium oxalate crystals was determined by a spectrophotometric assay [17,20,21]. The method used was similar to that described by Hennequin et al and Atmani and Khan.…”

“…The aggregation of the calcium oxalate crystals was determined by the spectrophotometric assay method similar to that described by Hess et al, with slight modifications [17,20,21]. The calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals were prepared by mixing both the solutions of calcium chloride and sodium oxalate of 50 mmol/L each.…”

Antiurolithiatic Effect of Some Polyherbal Formulations Used in Experimentally Induced Urolithiasis: A Review

“…Such plants contains flavonoid, alkaloid, steroid, polysaccharides, tannins, saponins etc, which have a supportive property to inhibit the formation of oxalate crystals. Glycolate oxidase (GOX) is one of the enzyme which involves in the pathway of oxalate synthesis in which glycolate converts to glyoxylate by oxidation and finally to oxalate 27 . …”