In Vitro and in Vivo Studies on Antilithiatic Properties of Trachyspermum Ammi L

Abstract

Kidney stone formation is one of the most painful disorders of urinary tract, affecting 10-15% of the general population world wide. Calcium-containing stones, especially calcium oxalate monohydrate, COM (Whewellite), calcium oxalate dihydrate, COD (Weddellite) and basic calcium phosphate (Apatite) are the most commonly occurring ones to an extent of 75-90% followed by magnesium ammonium phosphate (Struvite) to an extent of 10-15%, uric acid 3-10% and cystine 0.5-1%. In normal individuals, kidney stone formation is suppressed by various urinary inhibitors and some of such inhibitors are proteins. The prevailing present day treatments like extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) etc. have their own draw backs. So, an alternative treatment using phytotherapy is essential. newlineTill date various plant extracts have been studied to reduce the incidence of urolithiasis but the identification of naturally occurring calcium oxalate (CaOx) inhibitory biomolecules from plants was hampered in past by limitation in identification method. Seeds of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague ex Turril (Umbelliferae) locally named as Ajwain in India, is commonly used in folklore to treat urolithiasis. So far, its diuretic properties have been documented in literature and it is actively used in various drug formulations of kidney stone treatments. So, the present study is aimed at examining the efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi on the basis of in vitro calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate assay systems, purifying the potent biomolecule(s) and further validating the purified biomolecule(s) in rat hyperoxaluric model. newline