Exploring in vitro efficacy of roots of Bergenia ligulata for urolithiasis management

Abstract

Urolithiasis is a metabolic disorder associated with formation of stones within the urinary tract. The physiochemical processes underlying stone formation involve precipitation, growth, aggregation and concretion of lithogenic salts in urine. An approach for the management of urinary stones, in lieu of surgical procedures, includes usage of herbal plants. Bergenia ligulata also known as “Paashanbheda” has been used for dissolving kidney stones traditionally. The objective of the present study is to investigate the calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystallization inhibition efficacy of aqueous root extract of Bergenia ligulata (BLAE) through in vitro experimental procedure-nucleation and aggregation assays. The inhibitory activity of the BLAE was determined by spectrophotometric assay for which percentage inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization was calculated. BLAE showed dose dependent inhibition, i.e. more percentage inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization was observed with the increase in the concentration of BLAE. Present study indicated significant efficacy of BLAE in inhibiting the formation of urinary stones displaying its inhibitory action in calcium oxalate formation in both nucleation and aggregation assays.