ANTILITHIATIC ACTIVITY OF GREWIA ASIATICA IN MALE RATS

Lithiasis is the process of stone formation in the kidney, bladder, and/or urethra. Herbal drugs are reported to be effective in the treatment of urolithiasis with no side effects. Grewia asiatica is a plant commonly used as a traditional herbal medicine and possesses the wide range of pharmacological applications. The present study investigated the antilithiatic activity of an ethanolic leaf extract of Grewia asiatica Linn (EEGA). Ethylene glycol (0.75% in water) feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased urinary volume and its pH. EEGA (200 & 400 mg/kg) was given orally in curative and preventive regimens over a period of 28 days. Supplementation with EEGA significantly (p<0.05) restored urea, uric acid, creatinine, volume of urine and pH levels. The preventive regimen was found to be better than the curative regimen. The results were comparable with the standard drug, Cystone (750 mg/kg). Histopathological examination further corroborated the antilithiatic or nephoprotective activity of the extract. The presence of triterpenoids, flavonoids and saponins in extract might be responsible for significant antilithiatic activity of the plant. From this study, we conclude that both the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with ethanolic leaf extract of Grewia asiatica had an inhibitory effect on crystal growth, with improvement of kidney function as well as cytoprotective effect.