In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo Studies on Synergistic Effects of Citrus maxima on Anti-Uriolithiatic Activity

Abstract

The aggregation of the renal stones in the body are composed of minerals like calcium, oxalate, phosphates, uric acid, cystine etc. which finally end up accumulating in urinary system –especially in the different parts of the kidney, ureter or urethra (urinary tract) thereby obstructing the parts of the system .When the renal stones are not removed or left untreated it can be life threatening ,fatal because there is an obstruction in the major route of excretion. Its further results in increasing toxicity levels in the living system leading to long term complications like complete failure of organ, coma and death. Traditionally, pomelo is used in indigenous system of medicine to treat various ailments like epilepsy, convulsive cough, hemorrhage, leprosy, eye related problems, sedative for nervous related problems. The present study was conducted to provide a scientific proof that pomelo belonging to citrus family is abundantly loaded with ascorbic acid, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, antioxidants, phenolics etc. contain inhibitory properties and Uriolithiatic nature it can be used to prevent and treat the kidney stones. Therefore, In-vitro tests for nucleation, aggregation, CaOx crystal growth assay and Kidney stone degradation assay was conducted on pomelo. 10% methanolic extract of pulp and peel were tested for the phytochemical constituents and quantitative estimation of flavonoids, terpenoids and ascorbic acid was performed. Nucleation and aggregation assay, Calcium oxalate crystal growth assay and Kidney stone degradation assay was performed to check the urolithiatic activity. The number of flavonoids, terpenoids and ascorbic acid was more in the methanolic pulp extract at 0.34mg/100mL ,0.192 mg/100mL and 1.70 mE ± 0.014 mE respectively as compared to the peel. Methanolic pulp extract gave 65% inhibition for nucleation and aggregation assay and 24.26% inhibition for calcium oxalate crystal growth assay whereas methanolic peel extract gave 25% inhibition for nucleation and aggregation assay and 28.47% inhibition for calcium oxalate crystal growth assay. It was the best sample in dissolving the kidney stones (89.47%). The methanolic extract of pulp has more capacity to dissolve the kidney stones as compared to the peel and can be used to dissolve the renal stones.