Abstract
Objective of the current study is to evaluate the antiurolithiatic activity of the root extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa and validating the indigenous use of B. diffusa in propulsion of calculi (urinary stones). Calculi were induced in Wistar male rats using calculi producing diet (CPD, ethylene glycol in drinking water for 28 days). Urolithiatic rats were treated with various doses of aqueous extract of B. diffusa and alcoholic extracts of B. diffusa for 30 days. The 24-hour urine samples were collected for analyzing the stone forming constituents calcium, oxalate and phosphorous. Also, magnesium concentration was estimated in the urine samples. Cystone, an ayurvedic medicine approved for management of calculi was used as a standard reference. Administration of CPD induced calculi in all experimental rats. Treatment with aqueous extract of B. diffusa and alcoholic extracts of B. diffusa significantly decreased the concentrations of stone forming constituents calcium, oxalate and phosphorous in the urine. In addition, both aqueous and alcoholic extracts of B. diffusa increased the magnesium levels in urolithiatic rats. Changes in stone forming constituents and magnesium levels were considerably higher (although not significant) with alcoholic extracts than aqueous extract of B. diffusa. Therefore we conclude that the root extracts of B. diffusa possess antiurolithiatic activity and justifies its use in indigenous medicine for propulsion of urinary stones.
