Antiurolithic activity of different fractions of Aganosma dichotoma as folk medicine of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Objective: Aganosma dichotoma K. Schum has been traditionally used in the treatment of urological disorder in Ayurvedic system of medicine and also used by tribals of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, this study aims to establish its traditional claims and investigate the effect of root extract and fractions of A. dichotoma (Apocynaceae) against ethylene glycol (EG) induced urolithiasis in male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Lithiasis was induced by oral administration of ethylene glycolated water (0.75% v/v) in rats for 28 days and was manifested by the high level of calcium, oxalate, phosphate, creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in both urine and serum. Polarized microscopy of urine, as well as histological study of kidney, was also performed in rats. Alcoholic extract, petroleum ether, chloroform, and butanol fractions were evaluated in this study. Result: Supplementation with ethanolic root extract of A. dichotoma (EAD) and their fractions significantly (P Ë‚ 0.001) reduced the elevated urinary oxalate, calcium, and phosphate level as well as also decreased the level of creatinine, uric acid, and BUN in serum. In urine microscopy and histology of the kidney samples, EAD and petroleum ether fraction (PF) showed maximum inhibition of crystal deposition in a dose-dependent manner as compared to control group. Discussion and Conclusion: The result of this study revealed that EAD and PF are endowed with antiurolithic activity and justifying folk information of the plant. Further investigations are required to illuminate the chemical constituents and mechanism liable for antiurolithic activity.