Effect of melon seed extract (Cucumis melo var. inodorous) on renal expression of osteopontin and lithostathin coding genes in urolithiatic male rats

Kidney stone is one of the most important diseases of the urinary tract and the most important cause of death due to urinary tract disease. The prevalence of urinary tract disease is increasing and therefore more effective and low-risk therapies are needed for treatment. Melon seeds have been suggested for the treatment of kidney diseases such as kidney stones. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of melon seed on renal expression of osteopontin and lithostathin coding genes in male rats with kidney stones. Induction of calcium oxalate kidney stone was performed by oral treatment of ammonium chloride (3 days) and ethylene glycol (38 days) in male rats. Potassium citrate and hydro-ethanolic extract of melon seed were treated orally with ethylene glycol for 38 days. After 41 days, the animals were anesthetized and their right kidney was removed for evaluation of renal expression of osteopontin and lithostathin coding genes by real-time PCR. Results showed that daily oral administration of potassium citrate and extract (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the expression of osteopontin coding gene (spp1) in experimental rats compared to control group (p <0.001). Also, daily oral administration of potassium citrate and extract significantly increased lithostathin coding gene (reg1a) expression in experimental rats compared to control group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, melon seed extract can improve kidney stone disease by enhancing the expression of osteopontin and lithostathin-encoding genes and is more effective than potassium citrate in treating the disease.