title: Berberis vulgaris root bark extract prevents hyperoxaluria induced urolithiasis in rats.
abstract: Berberis vulgaris is a widely used plant for the treatment of urolithiasis. To evaluate its antiurolithic potential, the crude aqueous-methanol extract of Berberis vulgaris root bark (Bv.Cr) was tested in an animal model of urolithiasis, developed in male Wistar rats by adding 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water. Bv.Cr (50 mg/kg) inhibited CaOx crystal deposition in renal tubules and protected against associated changes including polyuria, weight loss, impaired renal function and the development of oxidative stress in kidneys. Activity-guided fractionation revealed the concentration of antiurolithic constituent(s) mainly in the aqueous fraction. These data, indicating the presence of antiurolithic activity in Berberis vulgaris root bark, rationalize its medicinal use for the treatment of urolithiasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Samra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: Anwar H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Gilani
authors.forename: Anwar A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pervez
authors.forename: Saeed R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Noor Jehan
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Sarfaraz
authors.forename: Abdul Jabbar
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028142:Berberis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006959:Hyperoxaluria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts