Urolithiasis

ABSTRACT Urolithiasis is a recurrent renal disorder characterized by calcium oxalate crystal deposition, oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal epithelial injury. Despite available therapies, recurrence rates remain high. Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken, traditionally used in urinary disorders, contains bioactive flavonoids with reported antioxidant and diuretic properties. However, the specific flavonoid(s) responsible for anti-urolithiatic activity and their mechanistic pathways remain unidentified. This study aims to isolate and characterize a flavonoid lead compound from B. pinnatum and evaluate its anti-urolithiatic activity through in vitro crystal assays, renal epithelial cell protection studies, and an ethylene glycol-induced rat model. Mechanistic pathways involving oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, apoptosis, and renal transporter modulation will be explored. Translational biomarkers (KIM-1, NGAL, osteopontin) will be assessed to bridge preclinical findings with clinical relevance. The study is expected to validate a mechanistically defined phytopharmaceutical lead candidate for kidney stone prevention. Keywords: Urolithiasis, Bryophyllum pinnatum

Urolithiasis in its different forms is a frequently encountered urological disorder. For many years it has been at the forefront of urology. In the present study ethanolic extract of whole plant of Saccharum spontaneum (Linn.) was studied for its antiurolithiatic activity against most common type of renal stone i.e. calcium oxalate. Lithiasis was induced in rats by fed with a calculi-producing diet (CPD: commercial diet mixed with 3% glycolic acid) for 28 days. Glycolic acid treated rats showed significant increase (p < 0.05) the activities of oxalate synthesizing enzymes such as glycolic acid oxidase (GAO) in liver and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum, urine kidney and liver Administration of the ethanolic extract of S.spontaneum (200mg and 300/kg b.wt.dose-1 day-1oral-1) has significantly ameliorated to near normalcy in the curative group.. The results of the present study confirmed that S.spontaneum can be used as a curative agent for urolithiasis.