Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Vitro

Background. Deposition and formation of stones in any part of the urinary system is called urolithiasis. CaOx is the predominant component of most stones, and the formation of these stones is a multistep process that includes supersaturation, nucleation, aggregation, growth, and retention. In ayurve...

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Main Authors: Sasindu Punyamali Hewagama, Ruwani Punyakanthi Hewawasam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/8657249
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author Sasindu Punyamali Hewagama
Ruwani Punyakanthi Hewawasam
author_facet Sasindu Punyamali Hewagama
Ruwani Punyakanthi Hewawasam
author_sort Sasindu Punyamali Hewagama
collection DOAJ
description Background. Deposition and formation of stones in any part of the urinary system is called urolithiasis. CaOx is the predominant component of most stones, and the formation of these stones is a multistep process that includes supersaturation, nucleation, aggregation, growth, and retention. In ayurvedic medicine, medicinal plants are used for the management of kidney stones. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of aqueous, ethanol, and hexane extracts of Drymoglossum piloselloides leaves, Kalanchoe laciniata leaves, and Aegle marmelos flowers against CaOx urolithiasis in vitro. Methods. The crystallization of CaOx monohydrate (COM) and dihydrate (COD) was induced in a synthetic urine system. The nucleation, growth, and aggregation of crystals were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The results were compared against the polyherbal drug, Cystone, under identical concentrations. Crystals generated in the urine were also observed under light microscopy. Statistical differences and percentage inhibitions were calculated using standard formulae and compared. A preliminary phytochemical screening was also performed to detect active phytoconstituents present in the three plants used in the study. Results. The results obtained clearly demonstrated that Kalanchoe laciniata, Aegle marmelos, and Drymoglossum piloselloides have the capacity to inhibit the nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals. Microscopic examination of crystals revealed the presence of more COM than COD crystals but a dose-dependent reduction in crystals was observed in the presence of plant extracts. Hexane, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of all three plants had different capabilities to inhibit nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals but their activities were different at different concentrations. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of reducing sugars, proteins, flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenol compound in Kalanchoe laciniata and Drymoglossum piloselloides and reducing sugars, proteins, anthracene glycosides, and saponins in Aegle marmelos. Conclusions. This study provided evidence that Kalanchoe laciniata, Aegle marmelos, and Drymoglossum piloselloides have the potential to be developed as inhibitors of nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals in the treatment of urolithiasis.
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spelling doaj-art-9c306e82a4df4357b7234333c0f85f692025-08-20T03:38:22ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2022-01-01202210.1155/2022/8657249Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In VitroSasindu Punyamali Hewagama0Ruwani Punyakanthi Hewawasam1Department of Medical Laboratory ScienceDepartment of BiochemistryBackground. Deposition and formation of stones in any part of the urinary system is called urolithiasis. CaOx is the predominant component of most stones, and the formation of these stones is a multistep process that includes supersaturation, nucleation, aggregation, growth, and retention. In ayurvedic medicine, medicinal plants are used for the management of kidney stones. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of aqueous, ethanol, and hexane extracts of Drymoglossum piloselloides leaves, Kalanchoe laciniata leaves, and Aegle marmelos flowers against CaOx urolithiasis in vitro. Methods. The crystallization of CaOx monohydrate (COM) and dihydrate (COD) was induced in a synthetic urine system. The nucleation, growth, and aggregation of crystals were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The results were compared against the polyherbal drug, Cystone, under identical concentrations. Crystals generated in the urine were also observed under light microscopy. Statistical differences and percentage inhibitions were calculated using standard formulae and compared. A preliminary phytochemical screening was also performed to detect active phytoconstituents present in the three plants used in the study. Results. The results obtained clearly demonstrated that Kalanchoe laciniata, Aegle marmelos, and Drymoglossum piloselloides have the capacity to inhibit the nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals. Microscopic examination of crystals revealed the presence of more COM than COD crystals but a dose-dependent reduction in crystals was observed in the presence of plant extracts. Hexane, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of all three plants had different capabilities to inhibit nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals but their activities were different at different concentrations. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of reducing sugars, proteins, flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenol compound in Kalanchoe laciniata and Drymoglossum piloselloides and reducing sugars, proteins, anthracene glycosides, and saponins in Aegle marmelos. Conclusions. This study provided evidence that Kalanchoe laciniata, Aegle marmelos, and Drymoglossum piloselloides have the potential to be developed as inhibitors of nucleation, growth, and aggregation of CaOx crystals in the treatment of urolithiasis.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/8657249
spellingShingle Sasindu Punyamali Hewagama
Ruwani Punyakanthi Hewawasam
Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Vitro
The Scientific World Journal
title Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Vitro
title_full Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Vitro
title_fullStr Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Vitro
title_full_unstemmed Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Vitro
title_short Antiurolithiatic Potential of Three Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants by the Inhibition of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals In Vitro
title_sort antiurolithiatic potential of three sri lankan medicinal plants by the inhibition of nucleation growth and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals in vitro
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/8657249
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