Parmelia perlata, the medicinal lichen, has traditionally been recommended for renal diseases especially urinary stones. It has also been used as the vital ingredient in some composite herbal formulations prescribed for urolithiasis. Its antiurolithiatic potential has not been scientifically substantiated and the rationale behind its antiurolithiatic use is yet to be established. This manuscript was aimed to evaluate the antiurolithiatic effects of hydroethanolic extract of P. perlata (PPE) against calcium oxalate calculi in experimental rats. The drinking water containing 0.75% v/v Ethylene Glycol (EG) and 1% w/v Ammonium Chloride (AC) was used to induce hyperoxaluria. Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups, each containing six animals and treated as: Group I (Normal control) treated with vehicle only, Group II (Urolithiatic control) treated with EG+AC, Group III (Standard) treated with Cystone, Group IV-VI (Test) treated with 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg, p.o. PPE respectively. The antiurolithiatic effects were assessed by estimating different biochemical parameters and histopathological examinations of the kidney. EG+AC administration caused tubular deposition of oxalate crystals and significant changes in biochemical parameters like decreased creatinine clearance, increased urinary levels of oxalates, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, proteins, decreased urinary magnesium levels; increased serum levels of urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, lactate dehydrogenase; increased calcium, phosphorus, and oxalate contents in kidney homogenates. It altered the renal architecture and impaired the functions. PPE significantly (p < 0.05) reversed the biochemical changes in a dose-dependent manner. It improved the renal functions as indicated by better creatinine clearance, reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity and restoration of normal renal architecture. The experimental findings concluded that PPE exhibited significant antiurolithiatic effects against calcium oxalate calculi in experimental rats.
Key words: Parmelia perlata; Urolithiasis; Hyperoxaluria; Ethylene glycol; Oxalate calculi
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