title: Prophylactic effects of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. extracts on experimental induction of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orthosiphon stamineus (OS) popularly known as "diuretic agent" are traditionally used in folk medicine in the treatment of hyperuricemia, rheumatism, gout, nephritis, nephrolithiasis, urethritis and cystitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate prophylactic potentials of total flavonoids, total phenolics and polysaccharides from OS on experimental induction of calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nephrolithic rats were induced by treating with 1.0% ethylene glycol and 1.0% ammonium chloride for 7 days. Rats in the treated groups were also given OS extracts at the doses of 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg. Urine samples (4h) and serum samples were collected at 7th day for biochemical analysis. Kidney tissues were stained with H.E. and analyzed by light microscopy. Expressions of OPN protein were detected by immunohistochemistry. Rates of nucleation and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals were derived from 20-min time-course measurements of optic density at 620 nm after mixing solutions containing calcium chloride, sodium oxalate and OS extracts at 37°C, pH 5.7.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Polysaccharides exhibited the most significant prophylactic effects by reversing BUN and S(cr) levels, ameliorating histopathological changes, increasing urine C(2)O(4)(2-) and Ca(2+) excretion and down-regulating OPN protein expression of kidney in the model rats in comparison with those effects of total flavonoids and total phenolics. Polysaccharides could also significantly inhibit both nucleation and aggregation of CaOx crystals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polysaccharides were the main therapeutic materials in OS. It had impressive prophylactic effects on CaOx stones in nephrolithic rats, playing a role as a regulator of OPN protein expression to increase urine C(2)O(4)(2-) and Ca(2+) excretion and also as an inhibitor of CaOx crystallization.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Animal centre, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Sen
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Chen-Huan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Hua-Zhong
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: Zhi-Yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hua-Fang
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D000643:Ammonium Chloride; D000818:Animals; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000378:metabolism; D003460:Crystallization; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019855:Ethylene Glycol; D008297:Male; D053040:Nephrolithiasis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D031342:Orthosiphon; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D011134:Polysaccharides; D020011:Protective Agents; C506897:Spp1 protein, rat; D000643:Ammonium Chloride; D053495:Osteopontin; D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D019855:Ethylene Glycol