Homeopathy 2013; 102(03): 172-178
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.05.004
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2013

Preliminary investigation on ultra high diluted B. vulgaris in experimental urolithiasis

Vasavan Jyothilakshmi
1   Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu 600113, India
,
Ganesan Thellamudhu
1   Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu 600113, India
,
Alok Kumar
2   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, 61–65, Institutional Area, Opp. D-Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058, India
,
Anil Khurana
2   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, 61–65, Institutional Area, Opp. D-Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058, India
,
Debadatta Nayak
2   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, 61–65, Institutional Area, Opp. D-Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058, India
,
Periandavan Kalaiselvi
1   Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu 600113, India
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received01 January 2012
revised03 May 2013

accepted09 May 2013

Publication Date:
20 December 2017 (online)

Purpose: The study focuses on the anti-urolithiasis potential of ultra-diluted homeopathic potency of Berberis vulgaris (B. vulgaris) root bark, commonly used in homeopathic system to treat renal calculi.

Methodology: B. vulgaris root bark (200c, 20 μl/100 g body weight/day, p.o, for 28 days) was tested in an animal model of urolithiasis. Urolithiasis was induced in male Wistar rats by adding 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) to drinking water. Urine and serum samples were analyzed for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, uric acid and creatinine. Enzymic makers of renal damage (alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, leucine aminopeptidase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase) were assessed in kidney and urine. Renal tissues were analyzed for oxalate content.

Results: Administration of EG to rats increased the levels of the stone-forming constituents calcium, phosphorus and uric acid, in urine. Levels were normalized by B. vulgaris treatment. The decrease in the urolithiasis inhibitor magnesium in urine was prevented by treatment with B. vulgaris. Serum creatinine levels were largely normalized by B. vulgaris treatment. Hyperoxaluria induced renal damage was evident from the decreased activities of tissue marker enzymes and an apparent escalation in their activity in the urine in control animals; this was prevented by B. vulgaris treatment.

Conclusion: Homeopathic B. vulgaris root bark has strong anti-urolithiasis potential at ultra-diluted dose.

 
  • References

  • 1 Ngo T.C., Assimos D.G. Uric acid nephrolithiasis: recent progress and future directions. Rev Urol 2007; 9: 17-27.
  • 2 Karadi R.V., Palkar M.B., Gaviraj E.N., Gadge N.B., Mannur V.S., Alagawadi K.R. Antiurolithiatic property of Moringa oleifera root bark. Pharm Biol 2008; 46: 861-865.
  • 3 Lingeman J.E., Woods J., Toth P.D., Evan A.P., McAteer J.A. The role of lithotripsy and its side effects. J Urol 1989; 14: 793-797.
  • 4 Arayne M.S., Sultana N., Bahadur S.S. The berberis story: Berberis vulgaris in therapeutics. Pak J Pharm Sci 2007; 20: 83-92.
  • 5 Atmani F., Slimani Y., Mimouni M., Hacht B. Prophylaxis of calcium oxalate stone by Herniaria hirsuta on experimentally induced nephrolithiasis in rats. BJU Int 2003; 92: 137-140.
  • 6 Barros M.E., Lima R., Mercuri L.P., Matos J.R., Schor N., Boim M.A. Effect of extract of Phyllanthus niruri on crystal deposition in experimental urolithiasis. Urol Res 2006; 34: 351-357.
  • 7 Das I., Gupta S.K., Pandey V.N., Ansari S.A. Inhibition and dissolution of calcium oxalate crystals by Berberis Vulgaris-Q and other metabolites. J Cryst Growth 2004; 267: 654-666.
  • 8 Qadir S.A., Kwon M.C., Han J.G. et al. Effect of different extraction protocols on anticancer and antioxidant activities of Berberis koreana bark extracts. J Biosci Bioeng 2009; 107: 331-338.
  • 9 Imanshahidi M., Hosseinzadeh H. Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris and its active constituent, berberine. Phytother Res 2008; 22: 999-1012.
  • 10 Kettmann V., Kosfálová D., Jantová S., Cernáková M., Drímal J. In vitro cytotoxicity of berberine against HeLa and L1210 cancer cell lines. Pharmazie 2004; 59: 548-551.
  • 11 Mitani N., Murakami K., Yamaura T., Ikeda T., Saiki I. Inhibitory effect of berberine on the mediastinal lymph node metastasis produced by orthotopic implantation of Lewis lung carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2001; 165: 35-42.
  • 12 Fukuda K., Hibiya Y., Mutoh M., Koshiji M., Akao S., Fujiwara H. Inhibition by berberine of cyclooxygenase-2 transcriptional activity in human colon cancer cells. J Ethnopharmacol 1999; 66: 227-233.
  • 13 Lee D.U., Kang Y.J., Park M.K. et al. Effects of 13-alkyl-substituted berberine alkaloids on the expression of COX-II, TNF-alpha, iNOS, and IL-12 production in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Life Sci 2003; 73: 1401-1412.
  • 14 Hsiang C.Y., Wu S.L., Cheng S.E., Ho T.Y. Acetaldehyde-induced interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production is inhibited by berberine through nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway in HepG2 cells. J Biomed Sci 2005; 12: 791-801.
  • 15 Ckless K., Schlottfeldt J.L., Pasqual M., Moyna P., Henriques J.A., Wajner M. Inhibition of in-vitro lymphocyte transformation by the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine. J Pharm Pharmacol 1995; 47: 1029-1031.
  • 16 Bashir S., Gilani A.H. Antiurolithic effect of berberine is mediated through multiple pathways. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 651: 168-175.
  • 17 Hodgkinson A., Williams A. An improved colorimetric procedure for urine oxalate. Clin Chim Acta 1972; 36: 127-132.
  • 18 Fiske C.H., Subbarow Y. The colorimetric determination of phosphorus. J Biol Chem 1925; 66: 375-400.
  • 19 Caraway W.T. Uric acid. Seligson D. Standard Methods of Clinical Chemistry. 1963. New York: Academic Press; 239-247.
  • 20 Owen J.A., Iggo B., Scandrett F.J., Stewart C.P. The determination of creatinine in plasma or serum, and in urine; a critical examination. Biochem J 1954; 58: 426-437.
  • 21 King J. The hydrolases-acid and alkaline phosphatases. Van D. Practical Clinical Enzymology. 1965. London: Nostrand Company Limited; 191-208.
  • 22 King J. The dehydrogenases or oxidoreductases-lactate dehydrogenase. Van D. Practical Clinical Enzymology. 1965. London: Nostrand Company Limited; 83-93.
  • 23 Orlowski M., Meister A. Isolation of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase from hog kidney. J Biol Chem 1965; 240: 338-347.
  • 24 Natelson S., Scott M.L., Beffa C. A rapid method for the estimation of urea in biologic fluids. Am J Clin Pathol 1951; 21: 275-281.
  • 25 Coe F.L., Evan A., Worcester E. Kidney stone disease. J Clin Invest 2005; 115: 2598-2608.
  • 26 Robertson W.G., Peacock M. The cause of idiopathic calcium stone disease: hypercalciuria or hyperoxaluria?. Nephron 1980; 26: 105-110.
  • 27 Lee Y.H., Chang L.S., Chen M.T., Chiang H., Huang J.K., Huang W.C. Characterization of ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis model in rats. J Urol ROC 1991; 2: 518-523.
  • 28 Bourdeau J.E. Mechanisms and regulation of calcium transport in the nephron. Semin Nephrol 1993; 13: 191-201.
  • 29 Kato Y., Yamaguchi S., Yachiku S. et al. Changes in urinary parameters after oral administration of potassium-sodium citrate and magnesium oxide to prevent urolithiasis. Urology 2004; 63: 7-11.
  • 30 Koh E.T., Min K.W. Fructose precipitates calcium phosphate in the kidneys of female rats fed magnesium-deficient diets. Magnes Res 1991; 4: 171-176.
  • 31 Sakly R., Hdhili A., Zarrouk K., Mbazaa A. The effect of the administration of a high dose of vitamin D3 on calculus formation in rats. Ann Urol (Paris) 1990; 24: 539-543.
  • 32 Narins R.G., Jones E.R., Stom M.C., Rudnick M.R., Bastl C.P. Diagnostic strategies in disorders of fluid, electrolyte and acid–base homeostasis. Am J Med 1982; 72: 496-520.
  • 33 Prié D., Ravery V., Boccon-Gibod L., Friedlander G. Frequency of renal phosphate leak among patients with calcium nephrolithiasis. Kidney Int 2001 Jul; 60: 272-276.
  • 34 Trinchieri A., Mandressi A., Luongo P., Longo G., Pisani E. The influence of diet on urinary risk factors for stones in healthy subjects and idiopathic renal calcium stone formers. Br J Urol 1991; 67: 230-236.
  • 35 Whiting P.H., Brown P.A. The relationship between enzymuria and kidney enzyme activities in experimental gentamicin nephrotoxicity. Ren Fail 1996; 18: 899-909.
  • 36 Kaloyanides George J., Pastoriza-Munoz Enrique. Aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity. Kidney Int 1980; 18: 571-582.
  • 37 Khan S.R., Shevock P.B.N., Hackett R.L. Urinary enzymes and calcium oxalate urolithiasis. J Urol 1989; 142: 846-849.
  • 38 Misík V., Bezáková L., Máleková L., Kostálová D. Lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant properties of protoberberine and aporphine alkaloids isolated from Mahonia aquifolium . Planta Med 1995; 61: 372-373.
  • 39 Li Ning, Lu Fu-er, Dong Hui, Xu Li-jun, Wang Kai-fu. Protective effects of berberine on early renal hyperfiltration in diabetic rats. Chin J Comp Med 2007 No. 4.