Bio-active compounds from unani medicinal plants and their application in urolithiasis

Abstract

Botanical products are used in various forms, such as pure compound, standardized extract, etc., which are known for their remedial action against various diseases and also provide a lead for new drug development. Urolithiasis is a disease in which calcium oxalate has a major role. Pathogenesis of urolithiasis is multifaceted including numerous physicochemical events occurring concurrently and it includes supersaturation, nucleation, growth, aggregation and retention of crystals within the renal tubules. Composition of urine affects the incidence of urolithiasis resulting in alteration of biochemical parameters. The antiurolithiatic activity of several Unani plants has been studied. The antiurolithiatic phytoconstituents are phenolic compounds, saponins (solasodine), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), alkaloids (crocin, berberine, khellin), tannins, other inorganic and organic constituents and plant proteins (glycosaminoglycans), etc. Studies have reported the role of ascorbic, citric, phytic, tartaric and oleanolic acid as good candidates for prophylactic management. Phytoconstituents exert their effects by multiple mechanisms. Oxalate causes lipid peroxidation through reacting with polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membrane and damages the renal tissue. Triterpenes help in dissolution of oxalate crystals and demonstrate antioxidant effect. Organic substances adsorb on surface of the crystals and arrest the process of crystallization. Citrate and magnesium form a complex with calcium and decreases supersaturation; moreover, magnesium destabilizes CaOx pairs. Saponins help in disintegration of mucoproteins and reduce CaOx crystal adhesion to renal epithelial cells by pre-coating the crystals. Flavonoids significantly prevent the crystallization by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The aim of writing this chapter is to highlight the bio-active compounds found in Unani medicinal plants in ameliorating the various stages of stone formation, and also to provide an overview of the use of plants in prevention and management of urolithiasis as well as elaborate its underlying mechanisms.