Assessment of Antiurolithiatic Potentials of Crinum asiaticum Bulbs by in vitro and in vivo Approaches

Objectives: To evaluate the antiurolithiatic potential of Crinum asiaticum through in vitro and in vivo methods. Materials and Methods: Ethanolic extract of Crinum asiaticum (EECA) subjected for phytochemical screening and HPTLC fingerprinting. In vitro antiurolithiatic activity of EECA was determined by Calcium Oxalate (CaOx) crystal nucleation and aggregation assays. Acute toxicity studies were performed as per OECD 423 guidelines. For in vivo antiurolithiatic activity 36 male wistar rats divided into six groups. Group I served as control, groups II to VI are administered with 0.75 % v/v ethylene glycol for 28 days to induce hyperoxaluria where in group II served as toxic control and group III as standard. Group IV to VI served as test and received respective doses of EECA from 15 to 28 days. After 28 days, creatinine, BUN, uric acid was estimated. Calcium, oxalate, phosphate were estimated in urine and kidney homogenate also subjected for histopathological studies. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins and phenolic compounds. HPTLC fingerprinting shows the presence of 7 terpenoids and 7 flavonoids at 540nm and 366nm respectively after derivatization. In vitro studies showed reduction in CaOx crystal aggregation and promoted nucleation after treatment with EECA. In vivo studies also showed reduction in elevated levels of serum creatinine, BUN, uric acid and levelsof calcium, oxalate and phosphate in urine and kidney homogenate as compared to control group. The results were supported by histopathological studies. Conclusion: The EECA have shown significant antiurolithiatic activity by reducing calculi.

Key words: Antiurolithiatic activity, Crinum asiaticum, CaOx crystal aggregation, CaOx crystal nucleation, HPTLC Fingerprinting.