Phytochemical screening and antinephrolithiasis activity of ethanol extract of Aerva lanata on ethylene glycol induced renal stone in rats

Aerva lanata (Amaranthaceae) is widely used plant in South Asia, mainly India, as a traditional medicine for treatment of antinephrolithiasis. The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of ethanol extract of Aerva lanata in antinephrolithiasis and renal cell injury. Wistar albino rats were given with 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol and 2% w/v ammonium chloride in drinking water to induce chronic hyperoxaluria and ethanol extract of Aerva lanata was given to antinephrolithiasic treated rats at the dose of 250 mg/kg b.w. orally for 15 days. Urinary volume, urine pH, oxalate, calcium and creatinine and in serum, creatinine, urea, BUN, sodium, and potassium were evaluated. Ethylene glycol feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium. Supplementation with Aerva lanata ethanol extract significantly reduced the elevated urinary oxalate, showing a regulatory action on endogenous oxalate synthesis. Aerva lanata ethanol extract significantly lowered the urinary excretion and kidney retention levels of oxalate, creatinine and calcium. Moreover, elevated serum levels of calcium, creatinine, urea, BUN and potassium were significantly reduced by the plant extracts treatment. The reduction of stone forming constituents in urine and their decreased kidney retention reduces the solubility product of crystallizing salts such as calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, which could contribute to the antinephrolithiasis property of Aerva lanata ethanol extract.