Antiurolithic evaluation of Cucurbita pepo seeds extract against sodium oxalate-induced renal calculi

Articles

Abstract
Pharmacognosy Magazine,2020,16,68,174-180.
Published:March 2020
Type:Original Article
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

Aisha Shehzad1, Uzma Saleem1, Muhammad Ajmal Shah2, Celia Vargas-de la Cruz3, Abdul Haleem Khan4, Bashir Ahmad5
1 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
3 Latin American Center for Teaching and Research in Food Bacteriology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
4 Department of Pharmacy, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore, Pakistan
5 Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract:

Background: Renal calculi, a painful kidney stone disease has worldwide health hazard. Cucurbita pepo is used for the management of lower urinary tract disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and micturition difficulty. Objective: The present study was investigated to resolve the antiurolithic potential of methanol extract of C. pepo (MECP) seed against sodium oxalate-induced renal calculi using both in vitro and in vivo models. Materials and Methods: MECP was prepared by macerating C. pepo seed powder in methanol. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed to characterize the phytochemical profile of MECP. In vitro techniques such as nucleation, aggregation, growth, and dissolution assays were performed using different concentrations (20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/mL) of MECP and the standard drug cystone to determine their calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals inhibitory potential. In male albino rats, calculi were induced by intraperitoneal administration of sodium oxalate (70 mg/kg) for 10 days. Various doses (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) of MECP were administered orally to male albino rats. Various pathological parameters such as body and kidney weights, serum (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid), urinary (calcium, potassium, oxalate, sodium, magnesium, phosphate, pH, and volume) analysis, and kidney histopathology were executed. Results: GC-MS fingerprints showed that beta-tocopherol, stigmasterol, and squalene are the major phytochemicals found in MECP. Results demonstrated that MECP significantly inhibited various steps of CaOx crystal formation such as nucleation, aggregation, growth, and dissolution in dose-dependent manner. MECP normalized the raised levels of oxalate, calcium, sodium, phosphate, uric acid, restored alterations in histopathology while elevated the reduced levels of magnesium, urine volume, and pH. Conclusion: The undertaken study rationalized the usage of C. pepo as an alternative or adjuvant treatment for renal calculi after clinical trials in human subjects.

PDF
Images
: Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry chromatogram of methanol extract of Cucurbita pepo seed
Keywords