title: Inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallisation in vitro by an extract of Bergenia ciliata.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of an extract obtained from the rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (Saxifragaceae) on the inhibition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystallisation in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hydro-alcoholic extract (30:70, v/v) of rhizomes of B. ciliata was prepared at different concentrations (1-10 mg/mL). The crystallisation of CaOx monohydrate (COM) was induced in a synthetic urine system. The nucleation and aggregation of COM crystals were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The rates of nucleation and aggregation were evaluated by comparing the slope of the turbidity of a control system with that of one exposed to the extract. The results were compared with a parallel study conducted with a marketed poly-herbal combination, Cystone, under identical concentrations. Crystals generated in the urine were also analysed by light microscopy. Statistical differences and percentage inhibitions were calculated and assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract of B. ciliata was significantly more effective in inhibiting the nucleation and aggregation of COM crystals in a dose-dependent manner than was Cystone. Moreover, the extract induced more CaOx dihydrate crystals, with a significant reduction in the number and size of COM crystals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An extract of the traditional herb B. ciliata has an excellent inhibitory activity on crystalluria and therefore might be beneficial in dissolving urinary stones. However, further study in animal models of urolithiasis is needed to evaluate its potential anti-urolithiatic activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad 380009, India.
authors.forename: Sarmistha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad 380009, India.
authors.forename: Ramtej J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Verma
keywords: Aggregation; Anti-crystallisation; Bergenia ciliata; COD, CaOx dihydrate; COM, CaOx monohydrate; CaOx, calcium oxalate; Calcium oxalate; IC50, concentration for 50% inhibition; Nucleation; OD, optical density