Evaluation of antiurolithiatic potential in Crataeva religiosa: An in vitro study

Urolithiasis is the condition where urinary calculi are formed in the urinary tract. Although the recurrence of urinary calculi formation could not be prevented with modern medicine, the plant species used in folklore medicine could serve as potential sources of novel antiurolithiatic agents. Crataeva religiosa is a plant employed in indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka to dissolve urinary calculi and to treat other urinary disease conditions. Thus, herein, the antiurolithiatic potential of methanolic extract of bark of C. religiosa was studied under in vitro conditions using crystal nucleation, aggregation and dissolution assays. The in vitro assays revealed that the above extract is capable of preventing crystal nucleation and aggregation as well as dissolving the urinary calculi. Its efficacy was comparable with cystone, a marketed polyherbal combination and it indicated that the bark of C. religiosa was a potent and promising antiurolithiatic agent, in accordance with its use in traditional medicine. However, further investigations on its chemical profile and possible cytotoxic effects are required before developing it as a therapeutic agent.