The effects of Portulaca oleracea extract on 24-hour urine indices in patients with renal stone: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: Portulaca oleracea, or purslane, is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine, according to its various medical properties, as well as its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of P. oleracea powder on 24-hour urine indices in patients with nephrolithiasis and normal kidney function. Patients and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, eligible patients with nephrolithiasis were randomly assigned to receive P. oleracea or placebo capsules once daily for eight weeks. Twenty-four-hour urine indices, along with serum electrolytes, inflammatory and lipid components were measured, then compared between the two groups at baseline and the end of the trial. Results: A total of 54 patients, including 28 in P. oleracea and 26 in the control groups, were assigned. Their mean age was 42.2 ± 9.8 years; there was no statistically significant difference between the mean age of the P. oleracea and placebo groups (42.1years versus 42.2 years, respectively; P>0.05). After eight weeks, the mean urine citrate level in the Portulaca oleracea subjects (674.82 ± 94.56 mg/24 h) was significantly higher than placebo group subjects (579.19 ± 85.06 mg/24 h; P<0.01). In addition, the mean urine calcium level in the P. oleracea group (176.32 ± 27.40 mg/24 h) was significantly lower compared to the control group (194.26 ± 25.17 mg/24 h; P = 0.016). Within the groups, analysis revealed that in subjects in P. oleracea and control groups, mean serum triglyceride (TG) decreased after intervention (P=0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively), as well as mean urine citrate level (P<0.01, P=0.01, respectively). Conclusion: The findings show that P. oleracea may be proposed as a medicinal plant that has a preventive effect on kidney stone formation by increasing urine citrate and decreasing urine calcium level.   Trial Registration: The trial protocol was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier: IRCT20170725035305N4; https://en.irct.ir/trial/42388, ethical code; IR.SBMU.MSP.REC.1398.538).