Antiurolithiatic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Alpinia zerumbet Pers. Rhizome in the Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

Urolithiasis is a serious health problem that affects 20% of populations between 20 and 50 years of age. Kidney stone otherwise known as urolithiasis is formed when chemicals gather over a nucleus which steadily takes the shape of the stone. Techniques used for removing kidney stones are connected with situations involving dangers like renal injury or occurring again, which point out an immediate need of other treatment choices. Plants can be used as an alternate remedy because it is an incredible reservoir of useful chemicals or active ingredients. In the present study, Alpinia zerumbet Pers. from Eastern Ghats of India was selected for antiurolithiatic potentials. This study was intended to evaluate the antiurolithiatic activity of Alpinia zerumbet and to investigate the histopathological effects on the kidneys of urolithiatic and treated rats. Wistar Albino female and male Rats were chosen for the study as urolithiasis models. Ethanolic extract of Alpinia zerumbet Rhizome was given as treatment to the animal models. Physical changes in experimental animals including weight and urine volume were monitored. Biochemical investigation regarding the presence of calcium, uric acid, phosphate and creatinine from urine samples collected from days 14 and 28 were carried out. It was observed that there was an increase in the weight of ethylene glycol-induced animals and a decrease in the weight of the drug-administered animals. Histological study showed the presence of increased calcium oxalate crystals in the ethylene glycol-induced rat models and decreased in rats treated with extract of Alpinia zerumbet Pers. A fraction from column chromatography was suspected to Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry analysis which resulted in the indication of the presence of active metabolites in it.