Antiurolithic and antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of whole-plant Biophytum sensitivum (Linn.) DC in Ethylene-Glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats

Background: Biophytum sensitivum Linn. DC is considered as one of the ten sacred plants called as "Dasapushpam" of Kerala state in India. Grounded leaves of this plant have been used conventionally as antiurolithic and diuretic. 'However, enough scientific evidences were not available about the effect of this plant as nephroprotective and antiurolithic. Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate antiurolithic and antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of whole plant B. sensitivum Linn. DC (EEBS) on ethylene-glycol (EG)-induced urolithiasis in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: EG 0.75% v/v in drinking water was fed to all groups, except the control group for 28 days to induce urolithiasis in rats. Groups I, II, and III served as control, toxic control, and standard Cystone groups, respectively. Animals in Group IV were administered with EEBS from 15th day to 28th day, while Group V animals were administered with EEBS from 1st day to 28th day. Several renal functional and injury markers in urine and serum were determined. Antioxidant enzyme activities were also recorded. Results: Co-administration with EEBS exhibited protective effect against EG-induced proteinuria, hypercalciuria, hypomagnesuria hypercalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia. Serum protein levels were significantly increased, whereas blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid levels were significantly lowered. EEBS-treated rats significantly attenuated the aberrations in the antioxidant enzyme activities, body weight, kidney weight, urine output, and urine pH compared to toxic control animals. Conclusion: Hence, this study confirmed the usefulness of B. sensitivum as an antiurolithic and antioxidant agent. Abbreviations Used: EEBS: Ethanol extract of Biophytum sensitivum, EG: Ethylene-glycol, B.wt: Body weight, TP: Total protein, Ca: Calcium, Mg: Magnesium, BUN: Blood urea nitrogen, K.wt: Kidney weight, SOD: Superoxide dismutase, GPx: Glutathione peroxidase, GSH: Reduced glutathione, MDA: Malondialdehyde.