Anti-urolithiatic effects of Punica granatum in male rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The traditional use of Punica granatum has been reported to regulate urine discharge and controls the burning sensation of urine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals model of calcium oxalate urolithiasis was developed in male rats by adding ethylene glycol 0.75% in drinking water. The Punica granatum chloroform extract (PGCE) and Punica grantum methanol extract (PGME) orally at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg, respectively, were administered along with ethylene glycol for 28 days. On 28 day, 24h urine was collected from individual rats and used for estimation of urine calcium, phosphate and oxalate. The serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels were estimated in each animal. The kidney homogenate was used for the estimation of renal oxalate contents. The paraffin kidney sections were prepared to observe the CaOx deposits.

RESULTS: The ethylene glycol control (Gr.-II) had significant (P<0.001 vs. normal) increase in levels of urine oxalate, calcium and phosphate, serum creatinine, urea and uric acid and renal tissues oxalates, as compared to normal (Gr.-I). The paraffin kidney sections show significant histopathological changes. The treatment of PGCE and PGME at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg doses, significantly (P<0.001 vs. control) decreased the urine oxalate, calcium and phosphate, renal tissue oxalates and serum creatinine, urea and uric acid, in EG induced urolithiasis after 28 days.

CONCLUSIONS: The PGCE and PGME at the doses of 400mg/kg, found to be more effective in decreasing the urolithiasis and regeneration of renal tissues in male rats.