Abstract
•Didymocarpous pedicellata is an endangered important medicinal plant and it is one the major ingredient of several lithotriptic formulation of Indian system of medicine•Didymocarpous pedicellata leaves (DPL) 300 mg/kg effetctive in reducing renal injury and removal of calcium oxalate crystals from kidney against ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis.•Serum and urine markers within the range after DPL 300 mg/kg treatment in this study
Didymocarpous pedicellata R.Br. (Gesneriaceae), also known as stone flower, is a valuable medicinal plant growing in the subtropical Himalayas (India). It is traditionally used for treating kidney and bladder stones and is the main ingredient of herbal formulations used to treat kidney stones, such as Cystone and Safoof-e-Pathr Phori (SPP). The present study explored the antiurolithiatic effect of Didymocarpous pedicellata leaves (DPL) in urolithiasis caused by ethylene glycol in Wistar male rats. The EG-induced urolithiasis group exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.001) serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, tissue lipid peroxidation, and urinary calcium levels, and significantly lower (P < 0.001) urinary potassium and sodium levels than the standard control group. DPL treatment (200 and 300 mg/kg) exhibited significantly (P < 0.001) lower urine and serum markers than toxicant rats. The histological investigation demonstrated refractile crystals and extensive damage to proximal tubules causing dilation in EG-induced urolithiasis rats. However, Didymocarpous pedicellata treatment of 300 mg/kg exhibited the absence of crystals and reduced kidney tissue damage, thus protecting against urolithiasis and nephrotoxicity. Therefore, DPL (300 mg/kg) is useful in the management of urolithiasis.