Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Seeds of Benincasa Hispida (Thumb)

Summary Background: Benincasa hispida Thumb. (Cucurbitaceae) is widely used plant in South Asia, mainly India and Pakistan, as a traditional medicine for treatment of urolithiasis . Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispid a seeds (BHE) in hyperoxaluria and renal cell injury. Materials and Methods: Wistar albino rats were given 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol in drinking water to induce chronic hyperoxaluria and simultaneously BHE was given to nephrolithiasic treated rats at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. orally for 35 days. Urinary volume, oxalate, calcium, total protein, serum Creatinine, sodium, calcium, Phosphorus was evaluated. Results: Ethylene glycol feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium. Supplementation with BHE significantly reduced the elevated urinary oxalate, showing a regulatory action on endogenous oxalate synthesis. BHE significantly lowered the urinary excretion and kidney retention levels of oxalate, protein and calcium. Moreover, elevated serum levels of sodium, Creatinine and calcium, phosphorus were significantly reduced by the extracts Conclusions: 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 anti'urolithiatic property of seeds of Benincasa hispida