Effects of Serenoa repens Alcohol Extract on Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.

An increasing tendency has recently emerged for the use of phytotherapeutic agents as alternative to commercial pharmacological agents for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Serenoa repens alcohol extract treatment on BPH patients' symptoms and major parameters during one-year follow-up. The study was performed on 70 men aged 40 - 79 years (mean 60.58) with symptomatic BPH that were divided into a group of 40 patients treated with Serenoa repens extract (SRT) and a control group of 30 patients that received no treatment and were observed only. The following parameters were determined at the time of diagnosis (baseline), and after 6 and 12 months: prostate size, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and uroflowmetry parameters including maximum flow rate (MFR), average flow rate (AFR) and post-voiding residual volume (PVRV). In addition, the relevant patient symptoms were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) system. The patients in the SRT group showed a statistically significant increment of the average MFR and AFR values and reduction of PV relative to the control group (p<0.05). The significant differences between the proportion of patients with prostate volume >40 ml in the SRE treated group vs. control group was observed (p<0.05). The mean IPSS score was highly significantly reduced in the SRT group (p<0.01). The mild improvements of the urine flow, prostate size and IPSS score during 12 months treatment with the Serenoa repens extract indicate possible efficiency of this phytotherapeutic agent in patients with BPH.

Nephroprotective property of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and its antibacterial activity in combination with gantamicin.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum has strong antioxidant properties and has been presented to have nephroprotective effects. Present work was aimed to study the nephroprotective property of the plant extract through urinary enzymes excretion, to confirm its protective effects and to observe the antibacterial activities of gentamicin in combination with the plant extract. 200mg/kg/day of the plant extracts were administered alone and as co-therapy with gentamicin. Urinary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Urinary alkaline phospatase (ALP) excretions were observed through reagents kits with the help of Power-Lab 300. Antibacterial activities were assessed for gentamicin alone and in combination with the extract. Present study showed that the plant extract have excess quantity of flavonoids, which may responsible for attenuating the excessive excretion of urinary LDH. However, Urinary ALP excretion was found remained same throughout the study period in all experimental groups; might be detected in acute damage. Further, the plant also proved to have no decreasing impact on the antibacterial activities of gentamicin.

In vitro and ex vivo approach for anti-urolithiatic potential of bioactive fractions of gokhru with simultaneous HPLC analysis of six major metabolites and their exploration in rat plasma.

CONTEXT: Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) fruits have long been used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of various urinary diseases including urolithiasis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the anti-urolithiatic potential of gokhru and to develop an analytical method for quantitative estimation of metabolites for its quality control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extract of gokhru fruit was prepared through maceration followed by decoction to produce a mother extract, which was further used for polarity-based fractionations. In vitro and ex vivo anti-urolithiatic activity of mother extract and fractions at different concentration (100-1000 µg/mL) were carried out using aggregation assay in synthetic urine and in rat plasma, however, nucleation assay for 30 min was done using confocal microscopy. A simultaneous HPLC method has been developed for quantification of diosgenin, catechin, rutin, gallic acid, tannic acid and quercetin in mother extract and in fractions. RESULTS: The extraction resulted in 14.5% of w/w mother extract, however, polarity-based fractionation yielded 2.1, 2.6, 1.5, 1.3 and 6.1% w/w of hexane, toluene, dichloromethane (DCM), n-butanol and water fractions, respectively. In vitro and ex vivo studies showed a significant anti-urolithiatic potential of n-butanol fraction. Further, HPLC analysis revealed significantly (p < 0.01) higher content of quercetin (1.95 ± 0.41% w/w), diosgenin (12.75 ± 0.18% w/w) and tannic acid (9.81 ± 0.47% w/w) in n-butanol fraction as compared to others fractions. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In vitro and ex vivo studies demonstrated potent anti-urolithiatic activity of n-butanol fraction which can be developed as new phytopharmaceuticals for urolithiasis. HPLC method can be used for quality control and pharmacokinetic studies of gokhru.

Chenopodium album Linn. leaves prevent ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The leaves of Chenopodium album Linn. are traditionally used for correction of kidney diseases and urinary stones. The present work investigated the effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves of Chenopodium album on experimentally-induced urolithiasis in rats to substantiate its traditional use as antilithiatic agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The leaf extract was standardized by HPLC. Urolithiasis was induced in rats by administration of 0.75% v/v of ethylene glycol (EG) in distilled water and in addition, vehicle or methanol (CAME) or aqueous (CAAE) extract of the leaves of Chenopodium album each in the dose 100, 200 and 400mg/kg or Cystone (750mg/kg) were administered daily orally for 28 days. Urolithiasis was assessed by estimating the calcium, phosphorus, urea, uric acid, and creatinine in both urine and plasma. The volume, pH and oxalate levels were also estimated in urine. The renal oxalate content was estimated in kidney while calcium oxalate deposits were observed histologically. RESULTS: The treatment with CAME or CAAE for 28 days significantly attenuated the EG-induced elevations in the urine and plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, urea, uric acid and creatinine along with decrease in urine volume, pH and oxalates. The treatments also decreased renal tissue oxalate and deposition of oxalate crystals in kidney due to EG treatment. The effects of CAME and CAAE were comparable to standard antilithiatic agent, cystone. The findings indicate the preventive effect of CAME and CAAE which can be due to inhibitory effect on crystallization and stone dissolution. The effect was attributed to the presence of phytochemicals like flavonoids and saponins. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Chenopodium album leaves exhibited antilithiatic effect and validates its ethnomedicinal use in urinary disorders and kidney stones.

Metabolomics study of renal fibrosis and intervention effects of total aglycone extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis in unilateral ureteral obstruction rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scutellariae Radix (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which mainly contains flavonoids. Our previous studies have demonstrated that total aglycone extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis (TAES) can improve kidney disease in rats. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the renal fibrosis (RF) pathogenesis and TAES treatment mechanism in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats, using a metabolomics approach based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). METHODS: Rats with RF were divided into 6 groups with rats subjected to sham operation as normal control. The effects of TAES on some RF closely related parameters in UUO rats were investigated. A metabolomics method, based on GC/MS, was developed to monitor metabolic alterations in urine. Multivariate data analysis was utilized to identify biomarkers potentially associated with RF and the anti-RF activity of TAES. Ontology-based enrichment analysis by BiNChE and pathway analysis by MetPA aid in the interpretation of difference metabolites. RESULTS: After 10 days of treatment, the parameters of renal function begin returning to normal, and the abnormal high expressions of genes associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) were relived. In the metabolomics study, metabolic perturbations induced by UUO were reversed after treatment and TAES showed a dose-dependent therapy effect on RF, meanwhile, 18 potential biomarkers associated with RF were identified. Enrichment analysis of metabolites shows an over representation of mostly alkane-alpha, omega-diamine and alpha, omega-dicarboxylic acid, and these biomarkers are primarily involved in Glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, Retinol metabolism, Arginine and proline metabolism and Fructose and mannose metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that TAES have positive effects on UUO-induced RF in rats, meanwhile, metabolomics method coupled with metabolites enrichment analysis is a useful tool for revealing the pathogenesis of diseases and action mechanism of TCM on the whole body.

Amelioration of testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia by Prunus species.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disorder of men. The ethnomedicinal use of an African plant Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman (Pygeum) in treating men's problems made it a popular remedy all over the globe for the treatment of BPH and related disorders. However, rampant collections made from the wild in Africa have pushed the plant to Appendix II of CITES demanding conservation of the species. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study, the aim was to unearth the protective effect of bark of different species of Prunus against BPH. The five selected Indian plants of family Rosaceae viz. Prunus amygdalus Stokes, Prunus armeniaca L., Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prunus domestica L. and Prunus persica (L.) Batsch were evaluated against P. africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman for a suitable comparison of efficacy as antiBPH agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antiBPH activity was evaluated in testosterone (2mg/kg/day, s.c, 21 days) induced BPH in Wistar rats. The parameters studied were body weights; histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry (PCNA) and biochemical estimations of the prostate; supported by prostatic index, testicular index, creatinine, testosterone levels; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory evaluation. The study also included chemical profiling using three markers (ß-sitosterol, docosyl ferulate and ursolic acid) and estimation of ß-sitosterol content through GC. RESULTS: The Prunus species showed the presence of all the three markers in their TLC fingerprint profile and maximum amount of ß-sitosterol by GC was observed in P. domestica. Interestingly, all the species exhibited significant amelioration in testosterone induced parameters with P. domestica showing the most encouraging effect as indicated from histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry and biochemical studies. The Prunus species further showed remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity signifying their role in interfering with various possible factors involved in BPH. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are suggestive of a meaningful inhibitory effect of testosterone induced BPH by the bark of different species of Prunus in the order of P. domestica, P. persica, P. amygdalus, P. cerasoides and P. armeniaca with an efficacy of P. domestica comparable to P. africana and can be used as the potential backup of Pygeum for the management of BPH.

Rhododendron groenlandicum (Labrador tea), an antidiabetic plant from the traditional pharmacopoeia of the Canadian Eastern James Bay Cree, improves renal integrity in the diet-induced obese mouse model.

Content Our team has identified Labrador tea [Rhododendron groenlandicum L. (Ericaceae)] as a potential antidiabetic plant from the traditional pharmacopoeia of the Eastern James Bay Cree. In a previous in vivo study, the plant extract was tested in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese model using C57BL/6 mice and it improved glycaemia, insulinaemia and glucose tolerance. Objective In the present study, we assessed the plant's potential renoprotective effects. Materials and methods Rhododendron groenlandicum was administered at 250 mg/kg/d to mice fed HFD for 8 weeks to induce obesity and mild diabetes. Histological (periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Masson and Oil Red O staining), immunohistochemical (IHC) and biochemical parameters were assessed to evaluate the renoprotective potential of R. groenlandicum treatment for an additional 8 weeks. Results Microalbuminuria and renal fibrosis were developed in HFD-fed mice. Meanwhile, there was a tendency for R. groenlandicum to improve microalbuminuria, with the values of albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) reducing from 0.69 to 0.53. Renal fibrosis value was originally 4.85 arbitrary units (AU) in HFD-fed mice, dropped to 3.27 AU after receiving R. groenlandicum treatment. Rhododendron groenlandicum reduced renal steatosis by nearly one-half, whereas the expression of Bcl-2-modifying factor (BMF) diminished from 13.96 AU to 9.43 AU. Discussion and conclusions Taken altogether, the results suggest that R. groenlandicum treatment can improve renal function impaired by HFD.

Evaluation of antiurolithiatic and antioxidant potential of Lepidagathis prostrata: A Pashanbhed plant.

CONTEXT: Oxidative stress acts as an essential mediator in the pathophysiology of urolithiasis. Lepidagathis prostrata Dalz. (Acanthaceae) is a Pashanbhed plant that is recommended for the management of urolithiasis; however, no scientific validation has been reported. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antiurolithiatic and antioxidant potential of L. prostrata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extract (LPM) and fractions; petroleum ether (LPPE), ethyl acetate (LPEA), n-butanol (LPBU) and aqueous (LPAQ) were prepared. In vitro antiurolithiatic activity was evaluated by the capacity to inhibit calcium oxalate (CaOx) nucleation and aggregation at different concentrations of extract/fractions (0.04-3 mg/mL) for 30 min. Total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant potential were determined. A validated HPTLC method was performed to quantify lupeol and ß-sitosterol. RESULTS: LPEA exhibited the highest dose-dependent inhibition of CaOx nucleation (IC50: 336.23 ± 30.79 µg/mL) and aggregation (IC50: 149.63 ± 10.31 µg/mL), which was significantly (p < 0.05) better than standard Cystone®. The polar LPBU fraction was enriched with phenols (47.34 ± 0.19 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (20.38 ± 0.05 mg QE/g), which correlates with its highest antioxidant potential in DPPH, ABTS, nitric oxide scavenging and iron chelating activities (IC50: 1.18-87.34 µg/mL). To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the presence of lupeol and ß-sitosterol in L. prostrata. CONCLUSION: The antiurolithiatic activity of L. prostrata is probably mediated through the inhibition of CaOx crystallization. In addition to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, it would act as an excellent agent for the prevention of urolithiasis.

Review: Antiurolithiatic plants: Formulations used in different countries and cultures.

About 12% of world population is affected by different forms of urolithiasis in which the recurrence rate in female is 47-60% and in male is 70-80%. According to WHO 75% people rely on traditional medicines for the prevention and cure of different ailments. Similarly, the majority of the world population use a number of plants to treat problems related to the urinary tract system in which urolithiasis is the major cause. The aim of the review is to collect the data of the plants used in different parts and cultures of the world against urolithiasis with their parts, mode of preparation, dosage and administration. A literature review was conducted for traditionally used antiurolithiatic plants. The articles mentioning plant, parts, mode of preparation, dose and route of administration were selected. This information was extracted to compose Mono and Poly herbal antiurolithiatic formulations used in Appalachia (region in Eastern United States), Canada, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Latin America, Pakistan, Turkey and Yemen. The review provides an important data about plants used as antiurolithiatic in different parts of the world. The information not only useful for common people, but also for the scientific community to carry out further phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies for the discovery of new, effective and safer molecules against urolithiasis.

Application of Orbitrap-mass spectrometry to differentiate isomeric sildenafil- and thiosildenafil-like analogues used for the adulteration of dietary supplements.

Two groups of isomeric phosphodiestrase-type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5), consisting of four sildenafil- and three thiosildenafil-like analogues, have been successfully differentiated using high-resolution MS/MS. The optimised MS/MS data obtained from each compound were used to build a database with the aid of mass processing software. Isomeric compounds with very close chromatographic separation like dimethylsildenafil and homosildenafil could be distinguished by their unique fingerprint fragment ions in the MS/MS database. All fragment ions were within the mass tolerance of 5 ppm. One case study using an adulterated dietary supplement is included to provide more insights into this application.

Simultaneous identification of 18 illegal adulterants in dietary supplements by using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

We developed a method for the identification of 18 illegal adulterants in dietary supplements for erectile dysfunction by using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The separation was achieved on a Cosmosil 3C18-EB column. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid solution and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile, with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.15 mL/min. The proposed method may be useful for the identification of illegal adulterants and for quality control of dietary supplements.