D G Baheti and S S Kadam

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of a polyherbal formulation (PHF) on experimentally-induced kidney stones. Oxalate urolithiasis in male rats was induced experimentally by administration of 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol with 1% w/v ammonium chloride in drinking water for three days followed by only 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol for 25 days. The PHF was administered to urolithiasis induced test group rats at three doses i.e. 200, 300 and 400mg/kg respectively for 28 days. After 28 days, highly significant deposition of calcium oxalate in the kidneys was noticed along with increase in the urine volume, urinary oxalate, calcium, levels and magnesium levels in urolithiasis control group rats as compared to normal group rats. The serum analysis showed significant increase in the serum uric acid, serum creatinine, and blood urea in urolithiasis control group rats. In addition, vehicle treated induction control group rats showed significant increase in the biochemical parameters such as ACP, ALP, AST, ALT levels and decrease in LDH levels in the kidney homogenate which indicated the induction of urolithiasis. Daily oral treatment with PHF at doses 300 and 400mg/kg significantly decreased the quantity of calcium oxalate deposited in the kidneys but also reverted all the biochemical changes induced by calcium oxalate urolithiasis thus supporting its traditional claim. 200 mg/kg dose of PHF however, was found to be insignificant in these regards.