Wu-Ling-San Formula Inhibits the Crystallization of Calcium OxalateIn Vitro

Abstract

Urinary stone disease is a common disease and has a high rate of recurrence. There is no ideal long-term medical treatment to prevent the recurrence of urinary stones. Wu-Ling-San (WLS) formula has been used for centuries in China for long-term treatment of urological diseases. However, no pharmacological studies have been conducted to evaluate its effect on urinary stone disease. Therefore, using a photospectrometer, we studied the effects of WLS on nucleation, growth and aggregation of calcium oxalate in vitro. The results showed that WLS extract significantly slowed the speed of calcium oxalate ( CaOx ) crystal nucleation. WLS extracts at concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/ml inhibited nucleation of calcium oxalate crystallization by 344, 387, 543, and 943%, respectively. WLS extracts did not inhibit the growth of CaOx crystallization; however, WLS extracts at concentrations of 12.5 and 25 mg/ml significantly inhibited the aggregation of CaOx crystallization by 74.24% and 75.05%, respectively. WLS extract at a concentration of 50 mg/ml inhibited CaOx aggregation by 92.49%. In conclusion, our results indicate that WLS extract inhibited calcium oxalate nucleation and aggregation, and may have the potential to prevent stone recurrence.