Anti-urolithiatic effect of petroleum ether extract stem bark of Crataeva adansonii in rats

Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of sodium oxalate (7 mg/100 g) daily for 7 days. A significant increase in the level of oxalate in urine and kidney with a decrease in urinary volume, pH, creatinine clearance, and lipid peroxide level was observed in animals receiving sodium oxalate as compared with saline-treated animals. Administration of petroleum ether extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) of Crataeva adansonii DC. along with sodium oxalate (prophylactically) and after 7 days of sodium oxalate injection (therapeutically) significantly decreased calcium oxalate content in urine and kidney and lipid peroxide level in liver and kidney compared with vehicle-treated group. Animals treated with petroleum ether extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) of Crataeva adansonii showed improved creatinine clearance as compared with vehicle group. Histological estimation of kidney treated with petroleum ether extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) along with sodium oxalate strongly inhibited the growth of calculi and reduced the number of stones in kidney compared with group receiving vehicle. From this study, we conclude that both the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with petroleum ether extract of bark of Crataeva adansonii had an inhibitory effect on crystal growth, with improvement of kidney function as well as cytoprotective effect.