In vitro Litholytic Effect of Aqueous Extracts of Selected Plants and Young Coconut Water on Oxalate Stone

Abstract

Background Stones formed in kidney or any part of the urinary tract contain organic matrix and organic & inorganic crystalloids. The patients are treated by surgical intervention or other techniques. In traditional medicines plant decoctions are used to treat the patients. Extracts of Aerva lanata, Musa sapientum kuntze inner stem, Raphanus sativus and Tribulus terrestris as well as young coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water are widely used in indigenous medicine to treat urinary stone patients. Objectives This study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro litholytic effects of aqueous extracts of selected plants and young coconut water on oxalate stones. Methods Aqueous extracts of the whole plants of Aerva lanata and Tribulus terrestris, inner stem of Musa sapientum kuntze and Raphanus sativus roots were prepared. Seventy-five milligrams of surgically removed oxalate stone (oxalate:46.03%, calcium:22.83%, urate:0.68%, inorganic phosphate:0.5%, magnesium:0.38%) were incubated (at 37°C for 24h) separately with the aqueous extracts of different plants and coconut water (15ml). Every 24h, the extracts were decanted, analyzed for calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, uric acid and oxalate repeatedly for seven days. Deionized water was used as the control. Results Release of magnesium, inorganic phosphorus and uric acid were minimal. Cumulative release of calcium and oxalate into Musa sapientum kuntze [2.414(± 0.14); 1.958(±0.12) mg] was the highest and Raphanus sativus [1.505(±0.28); 1.564(±0.32) mg], was the lowest. Litholytic activity on solubilizing oxalate by young Cocos nucifera water 1.965(±0.77) mg and Musa sapientum kuntze 1.958 (±0.12) mg were almost similar. Calcium and oxalate solubility into the different plant solutions were significantly higher than into deionised water (p<0.05). Conclusion Among the selected herbal plants highest litholytic activity was shown by Musa sapientum kuntze. Litholytic activity on magnesium, inorganic phosphorus and uric acid in oxalate stones could not be significantly observed due to their poor concertation. Acknowledgement The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna for the financial assistance