A Critical Review on Antiurolithiatic Activity of Bioactive Phytoconstituents

Abstract

New drugs are introduced in the market every year and new diseases are emerging every year and there is no cure for existing diseases. Though new drugs are being approved by the FDA every year, controlling emerging infections is a global concern. Due to increased side effects and toxicity the modern world is turning towards herbal medicine. Due to few reasons like global warming, food habits and modern life style disease like Urolithiasis places a significant economic burden on the healthcare system, especially in developed and developing countries where, owing to changes in food habits and lifestyle, the prevalence of stone disease has significantly increased over the last few decades; unfortunately, it will probably continue to increase for a number of reasons. Despite considerable improvements in the development of new herbal therapies for the management of urinary stones, the incidence of urolithiasis is increasing worldwide. However, it is evident that crystal retention, cell apoptosis, renal cell injury, and associated stone promoters or inhibitors play important roles for kidney stone formation. In addition, the identification of novel phytoconstituents on the basis of molecular and cellular alterations in relation to stone formation will help develop better herbal remedies. Moreover, better understanding of the mechanisms of urolithiasis associated with stone inhibitors or promoters will be critical for stone-removing medications. This review encompasses different medicinal plants, polyherbal formulations and phytoconstituents used in the treatment of Kidney stones. More interdisciplinary research is needed to develop new plant-derived high-quality natural products to treat and prevent the formation of kidney stones.