In vitro studies on calcium oxalate induced apoptosis attenuated by didymocarpus pedicellata

Abstract

The present study focuses on exploring the antilithiatic potential of Didymocarpus pedicellata, which is valuable in managing renal disorders. Urolithiasis is an idiopathic disorder with a high recurrence and an incidence rate and is of major concern worldwide due to partial and unsatisfactory relief. Calcium oxalate crystals in contact with renal epithelial cells (HK2), causing reactive oxygen species overproduction, oxidative stress, apoptosis resulting in crystal adhesion and internalization. Crystals were modulated by cotreatment with ethanolic extract of D. pedicellata. Cell toxicity assay was assessed using flow cytometry. Cell-crystal interaction, adhesion, and internalization were visualized through Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The lithogenic induction caused impairment of renal function due to oxidative stress, measured by ROS levels. Cell death assays were detected by dual staining methods. Fluorimeter evaluation pointed to active caspase 3 mediated cell death (apoptotic) in oxalate injured cells was attenuated by Didymocarpus pedicellata extract. Alterations in cell adhesion were observed by immunocytochemistry. The current study revealed that the Didymocarpus pedicellata was endowed with antiurolithiatic activity as it displayed increased viability, reduced oxidative stress due to lowered production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreased apoptosis when oxalate injured HK2 cells were cotreated with the extract.