EVALUATIONS OF CURATIVE EFFICACY OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF APIUM GRAVEOLENS IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED NEPHROLITHIATIC WISTAR MALE RATS

Abstract

In Indian folk medicine, there is a claim that medicinal plants can treat urolithiasis although there is insufficient scientific evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the curative efficacy of hydro alcoholic extract of Apium graveolens in experimentally induced nephrolithiatic rats.

Methods: Urolithiasis was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding ethylene glycol in drinking water for 28 days. The curative effects were evaluated after oral administrations of 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extracts from 15 to 28 days. Urine samples were collected 1 day before sacrificing the rats. Blood and kidney samples were gathered under anaesthetic condition at day 28.

Results: Hydro alcoholic extract of Apium graveolens reduced significantly in the urinary level of protein, calcium, Uric acid, Creatinine, Oxalate and Phosphate (P < 0.001), whereas it was significantly elevated the levels of magnesium (P < 0.01) compared to lithiatic control. In the kidneys, CaOx crystal deposits were reduced significantly by hydro alcoholic extract of Apium graveolens.(P < 0.01)

Conclusion: It has been noted that Hydro alcoholic extract of Apium graveolens  was potent in treating urolithiasis. However, further study is required to assess the efficacy of the active compounds against urolithiasis.