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Herbo-Mineral Medicine, Lithom Exhibits Anti-Nephrolithiasis Activity in Rat Model of Hyperoxaluria by Attenuating Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation and Oxidative Stress

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Background In spite of advances in the modern allopathic medicines, there is no satisfactory treatment of kidney stones, so formation and growth of calculi continues to trouble mankind. In India, many herbal formulations are in use for the treatment of urolithiasis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antiurolithiatic efficacy of combined extract of plants Dolichos biflorus ( D.b ) (hydroalcoholic seed extract) and Crataeva nurvala ( C.n ) (aqueous bark extract) in ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups. Ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v, p.o.) was administered for 35 days. Different drug treatments were given from the 21st to 35th day of the study. On the last day, rats were sacrificed, and different samples were taken for further analysis. Results Both the combination drug treatments were found to be effective in treating urolithiasis. More significant protection was observed on treatment with the fraction ratio of D.b + C.n (3:1). Histopathology analysis showed degenerated glomeruli and inflammatory cells in urolithiasis control. The same were regenerated on treatment with combined extract of the two plants. Conclusion Administration of the combined plant extracts in a ratio of D.b + C.n (3:1) possesses better efficacy against ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats which may be evaluated further for mechanistic pathway elucidation in vivo.
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Understanding the mechanisms of kidney stone formation, development patterns and associated pathological features are gaining importance due to an increase in the prevalence of the disease and diversity in the presentation of the stone composition. Based on the micro-structural characteristics of kidney stones, it may be possible to explain the differences in the pathogenesis of pure and mixed types of stones. In this study, the microstructure and distribution of mineral components of kidney stones of different mineralogy (pure and mixed types) were analyzed. The intact stones removed from patients were investigated using synchrotron radiation X-ray computed microtomography (SR-μCT) and the tomography slice images were reconstructed representing the density and structure distribution at various elevation planes. Infrared (IR) spectroscopes, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to confirm the bulk mineral composition in the thin section stones. Observations revealed differences in the micro-morphology of the kidney stones with similar composition in the internal 3-D structure. Calcium oxalate monohydrate stones showed well-organised layering patterns, while uric acid stones showed lower absorption signals with homogenous inner structure. Distinct mineral phases in the mixed types were identified based on the differential absorption rates. The 3-D quantitative analysis of internal porosity and spatial variation between nine different types of stones were compared. The diversity among the microstructure of similar and different types of stones shows that the stone formation is complex and may be governed by both physiological and micro-environmental factors. These factors may predispose a few towards crystal aggregation and stone growth, while, in others the crystals may not establish stable attachment and/or growth.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a variety of distinct disease processes that permanently change the function and structure of the kidney across months or years. CKD is characterized as a glomerular filtration defect or proteinuria that lasts longer than three months. In most instances, CKD leads to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), necessitating kidney transplantation. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a typical response to damage in CKD patients. Despite the abundance of mitochondria in the kidneys, variations in mitochondrial morphological and functional characteristics have been associated with kidney inflammatory responses and injury during CKD. Despite these variations, CKD is frequently used to define some classic signs of mitochondrial dysfunction, including altered mitochondrial shape and remodeling, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, and a marked decline in mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP generation. With a focus on the most significant developments and novel understandings of the involvement of mitochondrial remodeling in the course of CKD, this article offers a summary of the most recent advances in the sources of procured mitochondrial dysfunction in the advancement of CKD. Understanding mitochondrial biology and function is crucial for developing viable treatment options for CKD.
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Background The plant species belonging to the genus Boerhavia (Nyctaginaceae) have been used extensively in ethnomedicine and Ayurveda in India. Raktapunarnava and Shweta punarnava are two of the species which find mention in various Ayurvedic formulations. Other species of Boerhavia, though not found in Indian system of medicine, do hold importance in ethnomedicine systems in India and other countries. Objective Boerhavia being a polymorphic genus, has been treated as a single genus encompassing species belonging to a morphologically related genus Commicarpus also. Owing to this taxonomic quandary with regard to merger or separation of the two genera by different workers, there are different reports of the number of species belonging to the genus. This has further resulted in flawed reporting of ethnomedicinal as well as ethnopharmacological studies. The present review focuses on resolving any confusion in taxonomic treatment, to highlight the ethnomedicinal uses supported by ethnopharmcological data and the phytochemistry of Boerhavia and Commicarpus species found in India. Conclusion In India four species of Boerhavia and two species belong to Commicarpus have been reported to occur. The literature survey revealed that except B. diffusa, no other species of Boerhavia has been explored in detail. This presents an opportunity to undertake research on Boerhavia species and find new phytochemicals with promising therapeutic effects.
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Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal diseases, has high global morbidity and mortality. Objective We aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin and its impact on kidney biochemical parameters associated with kidney disease among CKD and hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods The intended keywords were used in the literature search. Clinical trial studies from the very beginning to December 25th, 2021, indexed in the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), Scopus, and PubMed databases were included in the review. Records with no accessible full texts, non-English language articles, and studies that were not related to the study aim were excluded. The agreement for exclusion required all authors to concur. Finally, after reviewing all available literature, 27 articles were included in this systematic review. Results Curcumin supplementation increased antioxidant capacity by improving catalase (CAT) activity, free radical scavenging activity, and, nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2). It also reduced hs-CRP, IL-6, and, TNF-a levels in patients with CKD and HD patients. Different results were reported regarding the effect of curcumin on kidney-related biochemical parameters. But mostly the results showed that there are no significant changes were seen in glomerular filtration (GFR), albumin (Alb), serum creatinine (sCr), proteinuria (PRO), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in these patients. Conclusion Although it seems curcumin improved antioxidant capacity and decreased inflammatory cytokines in CKD and HD patients, it did not affect renal biochemical parameters. More clinical studies with larger sample sizes appear to be needed.
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Although nephrolithiasis is a more common disease in men rather than women, several studies over the last decades show that the male to female ratio 3:1 is narrowing. These finding may be associated to modified risk factors for stone formation between females and males. Changes in lifestyle and increasing obesity in women may play a role in shifting of gender disparity. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated an increase of kidney stones in women which have necessitated emergency department visits (ED). Therefore, females show a greater percentage of mortality rate if compared to males, especially if stone disease is associated to urosepsis and requires the admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This article reviews recent insights into changing gender prevalence in urinary calculi and into identifying the relation between gender and risk factors for stone disease, that in case of severe urosepsis might also lead to mortality.
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Urolithiasis is a most common health problem seen amongst most of the population suffering from the recurrence of kidney stones composed of calcium and oxalate crystals. Although the various conventional therapies are available for the urothialisis, the recurrence of kidney stones and the side effects of the drugs cannot be avoided. Increasing incidence of the stone formation associated with inflammation and severe pain, the demand of polyherbal formulations have gained more attention in preventing a suffering from lithiasis. The various herbal plants extract consist of active phytoconstituents like flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, strerols possesses an bioactivity like diuretic, ant-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-oxidant property. The current review emphasizes the understanding pathology of the stone formation and traditional used medicinal plants as an alternative complementary therapy with less side effects. In addition, the review has also put an effort to summarize mechanisms of various herbal plants in the management of urolithiasis and providing a future investments and direction in developing plant based formulations for urolithiasis.
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Allopurinol, a first line urate-lowering therapy, has been associated with serious cutaneous reactions that have a high mortality. A number of risk factors for these serious adverse reactions have been identified including ethnicity, HLA-B∗5801 genotype, kidney impairment, allopurinol starting dose, and concomitant diuretic use. There is a complex interplay between these risk factors, which may (albeit rarely) lead to allopurinol-related serious adverse events. Although oxypurinol, the active metabolite of allopurinol, has been implicated, there is no defined drug concentration at which the reaction will occur. There is no specific treatment other than the cessation of allopurinol and supportive care. Whether hemodialysis, which rapidly removes oxypurinol, improves outcomes remains to be determined. Strategies to help reduce this risk are therefore important, which includes screening for HLA-B∗5801 in high-risk individuals, commencing allopurinol at low dose, and educating patients about the signs and symptoms of severe cutaneous adverse reactions, and what to do if they occur.
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Fibrogenesis is a common feature for all types of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells is one of the main processes involving renal fibrosis and its inhibition is considered as a preventive/therapeutic strategy for CKD. Trigonelline (TRIG), a plant alkaloid commonly found in herbs, coffee bean, soy bean and other edible food plants, has several beneficial effects on human health and has been proposed to reduce renal fibrosis but with unclear mechanisms. This study thus addressed cellular mechanism underlying the anti-fibrogenic effects of TRIG in renal tubular epithelial cells grown in vitro. EMT was successfully induced by oxalate treatment as indicated by morphological changes into spindle-shape cells, increased expression of mesenchymal proteins (fibronectin, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)), decreased expression of epithelial proteins (E-cadherin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1)) and increased activity of a profibrotic factor (matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)). Interestingly, these oxalate-induced EMT features could be attenuated by TRIG pretreatment. Moreover, TRIG also prevented oxalate-induced cell migration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, and down-regulation of Nrf-2 signaling molecule. These data indicated that TRIG could attenuate the effects of oxalate-induced EMT and thus may serve as the anti-fibrotic compound for prevention and/or treatment of CKD.
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Introduction: Changes in the surgical treatment of nephrolithiasis, owing to recent technical advances and innovations, have made treatments more effective and less invasive. In this retrospective, observational cohort study, we identified the changing trends in the treatment of nephrolithiasis. Materials and methods: We included patients with newly diagnosed nephrolithiasis who received any treatment in the United States, including extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and open surgery, from January 2007 to December 2014. Demographic factors, such as age, sex, region, surgical treatment type, and cost data, were analyzed. Results: The median age of patients at treatment was 52 years, and the ratio of men and women was similar. There were definite changes in the trends of all treatment modalities (p < 0.01). Both the number and percentage tended to increase for RIRS, whereas for SWL, the number increased, but the percentage showed a steady decrease. In PCNL, both number and percentage increased to a minor degree. The overall cost of nephrolithiasis treatments during the study period nearly doubled (from $30,998,726 to $57,310,956). The number of treatments and average cost per treatment increased annually for each treatment modality. RIRS was the least expensive; the other procedures in decreasing order of their mean costs were as follows: SWL, PCNL, and open surgery. Conclusions: There was a gradual but constant change in treatment trends of nephrolithiasis, with an increasing trend for RIRS and a decreasing trend for SWL. Although PCNL has relatively invasive characteristics, it is still in steady demand.
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Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of melatonin (Mel) on an ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis model in rats. Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups; control, ethylene glycol (EG), melatonin prevention (Mel+EG+Mel), melatonin treatment (EG+Mel) groups. 0.75% EG was added to drinking water to create nephrolithiasis model. EG group received EG and Mel+EG+Mel group received both EG and melatonin for 8 weeks. In EG+Mel group, EG is given for 8 weeks and melatonin is given for the last 4 weeks of the experiment. At the end of experimental period, urine, blood samples and tissues were collected. Results: In 24-hour urine samples, calcium, citrate and creatinine levels were decreased and oxalate levels were increased in EG group whereas Mel prevention and Mel treatment reversed these parameters back to control levels. Malondealdehyde, glutathione activities, myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase levels and caspase-3 activity showed improvements in melatonin treated groups when compared with EG group. 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels, N-acetly-β-glucosaminidase activity and osteopontin mRNA expression were elevated in EG group and decreased back to control levels in Mel+EG+Mel and EG+Mel groups. Histological examination showed improvement in melatonin treated groups when compared with EG group. Conclusion: Melatonin can prevent crystalluria and kidney damage due to crystal formation and aggregation. Melatonin can be considered as a potential prophylactic and protective agent in high-risk patients for urinary stone formation or recurrence if supported by further clinical studies.
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The objective of the present study was to investigate therapeutic efficacy of standardized fenugreek seed extract with trigonelline as marker (SFSE-T) in experimental urolithiasis in rats. Effects of subacute oral treatments of SFSE-T (30 and 60 mg/kg) and reference anti-urolithiasis drug, Cystone (750 mg/kg) were evaluated against 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1 % w/v ammonium chloride (AC) induced urolithiasis in rats. The biochemical (urinary and serum) and histopathological parameters were investigated. Subacute oral treatment of SFSE-T (60 mg/kg) showed reversal of EG+AC induced changes in urine (decreased 24-h urine output, pH, excretion of creatinine, citrate, and chloride and increased uric acid and oxalate excretion) and serum (increased creatine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen) parameters and decreased creatine clearance. Histopathology examination of the kidneys sections from SFSE-T (60 mg/kg) treated rats showed lowered number of crystals, cell damage and tubulointerstitial damage index as compared with EG+AC control rats. Standardized fenugreek seed extracts showed promising therapeutic effect against experimental urolithiasis in rats.
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Cisplatin is one of the extensively used anticancer drugs against various cancers. Dosage dependent nephrotoxicity is the major problem in cisplatin chemotherapy. Cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity results in the depletion of renal antioxidant defence system. Our present study is aimed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of vanilic acid to against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in male wistar rats. Elevated levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum uric acid and reduced antioxidant status were observed as indicatives of nephrotoxicity in cisplatin (7 mg/kg bw) alone administered rats. Animals which are pre-treated with vanillic acid (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) restored the elevated levels of renal function markers and reduced antioxidant status to near normalcy when compared to cisplatin alone treated animals. Cisplatin induced lipid peroxidation was markedly reduced by oral administration of vanillic acid at a high dose. The findings in the present study suggest that vanillic acid is a potential antioxidant that reduce cisplatin nephrotoxicity and can be as a combinatorial regimen in cancer chemotherapy.
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Infectious urolithiasis is a consequence of persistent urinary tract infections caused by urease producing bacteria e.g. Proteus mirabilis. These stones are composed of struvite and carbonate apatite. Their rapid growth and high recurrence indicate that so far appropriate methods of treatment have not been found. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of phenolic compounds was investigated in vitro against formation of struvite/apatite crystals. The impact of these substances with different chemical structures on crystallization caused by clinical isolates of P. mirabilis was tested spectrophotometrically using a microdilution method. Among the 11 tested compounds resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, peralgonidin, vanillic and coffee acids at the concentrations 250-1000μg/ml inhibited P. mirabilis urease activity and crystallization. However, only vanillic acid had such an effect on all tested strains of P. mirabilis. Therefore, using an in vitro model, bacterial growth, crystallization, urease activity and pH were examined for 24h in synthetic urine with vanillic acid. Effect of vanillic acid was compared with that of other known struvite/apatite crystallization inhibitors (acetohydroxamic acid, pyrophosphate) and it was shown that vanillic acid strongly inhibited bacterial growth and the formation of crystals. It can be assumed that this compound, after further studies, can be used in the treatment or prophylaxis of infectious urolithiasis.
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Under suitable conditions, oxalic acid and indole react to form a red- or pink-colored compound which conforms to Beer's law. Photometric comparison with standards permits the determination of oxalic acid in concentrations as low as 0.030 mg. per ml. The method is simple and possesses a high degree of sensitivity, the average being within ±2%.
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Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae) is widely used in traditional Indian medicines against renal afflictions including calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis and is known for antioxidant activity. The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of aqueous extract of B. diffusa roots (BDE) in hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal cell injury. In vitro antioxidant activity of BDE was estimated in terms of total phenolic content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity. Wistar albino rats were given 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol in drinking water to induce chronic hyperoxaluria and simultaneously BDE was given to nephrolithiasic treated rats at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. orally for 28 days. Urinary volume, oxalate, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, GST, GPx) were evaluated. BDE extract was found to posses a high total phenolic content and exhibited significant free radicals scavenging activity. Oxalate excretion significantly increased in hyperoxaluric animals as compared to control which was protected in BDE-treated animals. BDE treatment significantly reduced level of MDA and improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes followed by reduction in BUN and serum creatinine. In addition, BDE reduced the number of CaOx monohydrate crystals in the urine. Histological analysis depicted that BDE treatment inhibited deposition of CaOx crystal and renal cell damage. The present study reveals that antioxidant activity of BDE significantly protects against hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal cell injury in urolithiasis.