The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Cichorium intybus L. Stem on the Biochemical Parameters of Serum and Urine in Male Rats with Nephrolithiasis

Chicory is used in traditional medicine as a kidney protector and stone breakers. In this study, the effect of chicory stem aqueous extract on the prevention of calcium oxalate stone formation in the kidneys of rats was investigated. 24 male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups as follows: healthy control, received ethylene glycol and prevention groups (administered 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg intraperitoneal [i.p.] dose of chicory stem aqueous extract along with 1% ethylene glycol for 30 days. On days 0, 15, and 30, urine volume and the urinary levels of citrate, calcium, uric acid, creatinine, and pH and on day 31, the serum levels of calcium, uric acid, and creatinine were evaluated. RNA was extracted from kidney tissues and cDNA was synthesized. The expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α -coding genes’ were evaluated by real-time PCR technique. Data analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test in SPSS. In the prevention groups calcium urinary level (day 15 and dose 50 mg/kg), citrate (day 15) and serum calcium, uric acid, creatinine, as well as TNF-α expression had reduced significantly. Urine volume (day 30) and IL-1β-coding gene’ expression (200 mg/kg) had increased significantly. Cichorium intybus L. stem is probably causing a decrease in serum parameters and urine calcium at the dose of 50 mg/kg due to its diuretic properties. But at the dose of 200 mg/kg, it has no effects on preventing nephrolithiasis and increases renal inflammation caused by increased IL-1β and some urinary parameters.