The Protective Role of Dietary Polyphenols in Urolithiasis: Insights into Antioxidant Effects and Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

Urolithiasis is a common urological disease with increasing prevalence and high recurrence rates around the world. Numerous studies have indicated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS) were crucial pathogenic factors in stone formation. Dietary polyphenols are a large group of natural antioxidant compounds widely distributed in plant-based foods and beverages. Their diverse health benefits have attracted growing scientific attention in recent decades. Many literatures have reported the effectiveness of dietary polyphenols against stone formation. The antiurolithiatic mechanisms of polyphenols have been explained by their antioxidant potential to scavenge free radicals and ROS, modulate the expression and the activity of endogenous antioxidant and prooxidant enzymes, regulate signaling pathways associated with OS, and maintain cell morphology and function. In this review, we first describe OS and its pathogenic effects in urolithiasis and summarize the classification and sources of dietary polyphenols. Then, we focus on the current evidence defining their antioxidant potential against stone formation and put forward challenges and future perspectives of dietary polyphenols. To conclude, dietary polyphenols offer potential applications in the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis.

Quercetin inhibits calcium oxalate crystallization and growth but promotes crystal aggregation and invasion

“…They have been applied for prevention of several diseases, e.g., neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancers ( Baranwal et al, 2022 ; Bhuia et al, 2023 ; Bi et al, 2023 ; Ganguly et al, 2023 ; Gerges et al, 2022 ; Keyvani-Ghamsari et al, 2023 ; Luo et al, 2023 ; Mirmohammadali and Rosenkranz, 2023 ; Mustafa et al, 2022 ; Nisar et al, 2023 ; Pandey et al, 2023 ; Ramli et al, 2023 ; Shabir et al, 2022 ; Talebi et al, 2021 ; Zhou et al, 2023 ). In addition, the protective roles of many polyphenols have been investigated in kidney stone disease ( Ahmed et al, 2018 ; Hong and Qin, 2023 ). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their preventive effects against CaOx stone formation remains poorly understood.…”

“…The link between oxidative stress and kidney stone pathogenesis has been clearly demonstrated by many previous studies ( Albert et al, 2020 ; Chaiyarit and Thongboonkerd, 2020 ; Khan et al, 2021 ). Several types of anti-oxidative compounds have been investigated in cell culture and animal studies ( Hong and Qin, 2023 ; Jian et al, 2021 ; Peerapen and Thongboonkerd, 2023 ). Quercetin is one among those anti-oxidants that may have a potential in kidney stone prevention ( Guzel et al, 2021 ; Park et al, 2008 ; Zhu et al, 2014 ).…”

“…Numerous anti-oxidative compounds have been recently applied to prevent the stone formation ( Hong and Qin, 2023 ; Jian et al, 2021 ; Peerapen and Thongboonkerd, 2023 ). Quercetin is one of the most abundant polyphenolic flavonols generally found in vegetables and fruits ( Salehi et al, 2020 ).…”

New Light on Plants and Their Chemical Compounds Used in Polish Folk Medicine to Treat Urinary Diseases

“…Upward-facing green arrow indicates increase, while downward-facing red arrow indicates decrease. Compilation of data from Section 1 and Section 2 , as well as [ 119 , 120 , 121 ]. UTIs—urinary diseases.…”

Antiurolithiatic activity of Indian medicinal plant: Ocimum kilimandscharicum Gurke (Lamiaceae)

“…Randall's plaques (RPs) theory suggests these deposits enlarge and reach the renal papillary surface, attracting CaOx crystals, and forming CaOx stones. These theories are supported by research on reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress (Hong & Qin, 2023). The pathogenesis of urolithiasis includes the various steps involved in the emergence of stone including nucleation, growth, and aggregation of crystals (Kant et al, 2020;Shah et al, 2023).…”