Effect of Hydrophilic Extract of Alhagi Maurorum on Ethylene Glycol-Induced Renal Stone in Male Wistar Rats

Given the proven effectiveness of herbal medicines in the treatment of kidney stones, the aim of the present study was defining the effect of hydrophilic extract of Alhagi maurorum on ethylene glycol-induced renal stone in male Wistar rats. In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups and were studied during a 30 day period. Two groups of healthy and prophylactic control received usual water and 1% ethylene glycol in water respectively during the study period. Prophylactic groups of low dose and high dose extract in addition to 1% ethylene glycol in water daily gavaged with 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg extract respectively. For measurement of biochemical factors, 24 hour urine samples from all rats were collected in days 0, 15 and 30. After the 30th day, rats were anesthetized with ether, and after taking serum sample from them, they were killed and their kidneys were removed and were sent for pathological evaluation which was examined for presence and volume of calcium oxalate crystals. There was no significant difference between complexes of oxalate calcium crystals between studied groups. Also comparison of urinary oxalate in 30th day was showed that urinary oxalate concentration in preventive and healthy control groups were less than negative control and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The present study confirmed that the hydrophilic extract of Alhagi maurorum with regard to reduction in urinary oxalate concentration and increase of urinary citrate is effective in preventing of urinary calcium oxalate stones in rat as a suitable model for human stones. The extract had no significant effect in rate of calcium oxalate crystal formation in.