Effect of A-lanata leaf extract and Vediuppu chunnam on the urinary risk factors of calcium oxalate urolithiasis during experimental hyperoxaluria

Urolithiasis is one of the third most common afflictions found in humans. T he efficacy of the two Siddha drugs, Aerva lanata and Vediuppu chunnam as a ntilithic agents using a urolithic rat model were tested in this study. Hyp eroxaluria was induced in rats using 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking wate r. Aerva lanata (3.0 mg kg(-1) body weight) and Vediuppu chunnam (3.5 mg kg (-1) body weight) were given orally for 28 days. Urinary risk factors of ur olithiasis were monitored at the end of 7th, 14th: 21st and 28th days. Urin ary volume was increased in hyperoxaluric as well as drug-treated rats. Inc reased urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, phosphorus and pro tein in hyperoxaluric rats was brought down significantly by the administra tion of A. lanata or Vediuppu chunnam. Decreased magnesium excretion in hyp eroxaluric rats was normalized by drug treatment. The drug increases the ur ine volume, thereby reducing the solubility product with respect to calcium oxalate and other crystallizing salts such as uric acid, which may induce epitaxial deposition of calcium oxalate. Drug alone treated rats did not sh ow any adverse effects. Combination therapy was found to be more effective and this indigenous medicine can be used successfully as an antilithic agen t. (C) 2001 Academic Press.