Abstract

EXPLORING THE ANTI-UROLITHIATIC POTENTIAL OF RUELLIA SIMPLEX: A NOVEL APPROACH TO KIDNEY STONE PREVENTION

*Ajay B. Jate

.

Abstract

Kidney stone disease or Nephrolithiasis, is one of the most prevalent urological diseases worldwide. This work investigates the phytochemical properties of the ethanolic extract of Ruellia simplex using urolithiatic activity on calcium oxalate crystal aggregation and nucleation. The phytochemical screening carried out at the preliminary stage identified the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenol, glycoside, and steroids which possess antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. Calcium oxalate crystal aggregation and nucleation assays revealed that the extract offered inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal formation in a dose dependent manner. Based on the data analyzed, the extract at 500 μg/mL showed promising inhibitory effect that is almost similar to that of the standard drug Cystone. Low magnification images taken with the help of computer-aided microscopy also justified the smaller size and lower density of crystals for the treated sample. What is presented in the results is the evidence that Ruellia simplex phytochemicals affect the main steps of kidney stone formation by stabilizing crystal surface and preventing crystal to crystal adhesion. The present study gives physiological support to the ethnomedical utilization of Ruellia simplex in the treatment of kidney stones and opens fresh avenues in the use of this plant as a natural cure. More studies are required in order to identify and describe the components which are most effective and to assess their efficiency in living organisms. This present research is helpful in addressing the previous findings for plant-based treatments of nephrolithiasis and can be considered as a novel and effective approach to the management of the disease.

Keywords: AntiAggregation; Anti Aggregation; Anti Aggregation; Anti Aggregation; Anti Aggregation; Anti -urolithiatic; Nucleation urolithiatic; Nucleation urolithiatic; Nucleation urolithiatic; Nucleationurolithiatic; Nucleation urolithiatic; Nucleationurolithiatic