Antiurolithiatic activity of Bacopa monnieri by in vitro calcium oxalate crystallization methods

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to investigate the antiurolithiatic effect of the aqueous extract of Bacopa monnieri (AEBM) on in vitro crystallization methods. The antiurolithiatic behaviour was observed in the presence and absence of AEBM at the concentration range of 100-1000 μg/mL by employing crystal nucleation, crystal aggregation, and crystal growth assay methods. Cystone (Himalaya Drug Company) was used as positive control in the concentration range of 100-1000 μg/mL. Inhibition efficiencies of AEBM on crystal nucleation, crystal aggregation and crystal growth were estimated spectrophotometrically. The percentage inhibition rates of crystal nucleation, crystal aggregation and crystal growth by AEBM and cystone were found to be dose-dependent. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of cystone on crystal nucleation, crystal aggregation and crystal growth were estimated to be 355 ± 45.4, 598 ± 20.1 and 590 ± 63.3 μg/mL respectively, while the IC50 values of AEBM were found to be 854 ± 24.5, 1008 ± 155 and 926 ± 25.1 μg/mL, respectively. The findings of this study disclosed that an aqueous heartwood extract of Bacopa monnieri showed a promising calcium oxalate crystal inhibition activity on crystal nucleation, crystal aggregation, and crystal growth stages of urine stone formation.