RESUMEN
Phytotherapy, which involves the use of plant extracts and natural compounds for medicinal purposes, is indeed a promising alternative for managing urinary lithiasis. Many plants have been studied for their potential to prevent and treat kidney stones, and they may offer a more natural and potentially less harmful approach compared to conventional treatments. Additionally, phytotherapy may be more cost-effective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antilithic potential of extracts and essential oils of Saussurea costus (Falc) Lipsch in two in vivo models, one on ethylene glycol-induced calcium oxalate crystal formation and the other to assess the effects of these extracts on magnesium oxide-induced struvite crystal formation. The experiment involved the administration of different doses of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of S. costus (200 and 400 mg/kg) and essential oils (25 and 50 mg/kg) to male Wistar rats, followed by the evaluation of various physiological, biochemical and histopathological parameters. The results demonstrated that the administration of S. costus essential oils and extracts had significant effects on the rats, influencing body weight, urine volume, crystal deposition, cytobacteriological examination of urine, and serum biochemical parameters. Histopathological examinations revealed varying impacts on the kidneys and livers of the treated rats. The findings suggest that S. costus extracts and essential oils may hold promise in inhibiting calcium oxalate crystal formation in vivo and influencing various physiological and biochemical parameters in rats. Overall, the 200 mg/kg ethanolic extract of S. costus demonstrated antilithiatic efficacy, did not exhibit signs of toxicity and reduced the number of crystals in the kidneys. Furthermore, the study did not find a significant effect on reducing struvite crystals.
RESUMEN
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Ureaplasma biovars and Ureaplasma parvum (U. parvum) serovars, their associated risk factors, and genital STI-related symptoms. Methods: DNA obtained from cervical samples of 1053 women attending the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the laboratory of pathological anatomy of Hassan II university hospital of Fez, Morocco, was used to detect Ureaplasma biovars (U. urealyticum and U. parvum) and to subtype U. parvum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Of the 1053 women examined, 25.4% (268/1053) were Ureaplasma positives. The rates of U. urealyticum and U. parvum were 12.1% (128/1053) and 7% (74/1053), respectively, and the copresence of these biovars was noted in 6.3% (66/1053) cases. The U. parvum subtyping revealed a predominance of the serovar 3/14 (61.4%). The association of demographics variables with Ureaplasma biovars was studied and shows that the age ("<30" years) seems to be a risk factor of Ureaplasma spp. and U. urealyticum carriage (OR 1.729, 95% CI [1.113-2.687] and OR 1.848, 95% CI [1.026-3.330], respectively). There was no difference in the prevalence of Ureaplasma type regarding symptoms. However, a significant association was found between U. parvum serovar 1 and infertility (P = 0.011). Conclusion: This first study conducted in Morocco provides an idea on Ureaplasma biovars and U. parvum serovars circulating in this region, their associated risk factors, and genital STI-related symptoms. Therefore, further studies are required to clarify and confirm the pathogenic role of these Ureaplasma species.
