Screening of Plants in the Genus Lepidagathis for Antiurolithiatic Activity

Bladder stones were more common in ancient days, but from past 100 years, kidney stones become more prevalent. Looking at the current scenario, our understanding about the disease has improved. Today we have statistics which says, around 12% population worldwide is suffering from kidney stone disease. Global scenario says that this disease is more common in western hemisphere (5-9% in Europe, 13-15% in USA, 12% in Canada) than eastern hemisphere (1-5%).

Formation of kidney stones is broadly described by two key processes, formation of crystal and retention of a crystal. Crystal formation takes place when urine is super saturated with crystal forming salts. Volume, osmolarity, and pH of the urine vary and decrease the solubility of calcium salts in tubular fluid.

The literature on the urolithiasis revolves around the question whether crystal binding is the consequence or the outcome of the epithelial injury and repair. In in vitro studies crystal binding take place to injured or regenerating epithelia and not to the normal cells. Urinary calculi have been found to cause injury and oxidative stress when come in contact with epithelial cells in vitro, suggesting that the cellular dedifferentiation is a consequence and not a cause of crystal binding