Inhibition of crystallization of calcium oxalate by the extraction of Tamarix gallica L

Urol Res. 2008 Dec;36(6):283-7. doi: 10.1007/s00240-008-0157-1. Epub 2008 Nov 11.

Abstract

The main objective is to study the inhibitor effect of acid fraction of the extract of Tamarix gallica L on the crystallization of calcium oxalate. The extract of Tamarix gallica L is very rich by acid compounds that are used as an inhibitor of nephrolithiasis (calcium oxalate). Our study of the calcium oxalate crystallization is based on the model of turbidimetry by means of a spectrophotometer. The calcium oxalate formation is induced by the addition of oxalate solutions of sodium and of calcium chloride. The addition of inhibitor with various concentrations enabled us to give information on the percentage of inhibition. The comparison between the turbidimetric slopes with and without inhibitor gives the effectiveness of inhibitor for the acid fraction. By comparing the photographs of with and without inhibitor, we concluded that the extract of Tamarix gallica L acts at the stage of growth. The acid fraction of the extract of Tamarix gallica L gives an activity remarkable in the formation of urinary lithiasis (calcium oxalate); this effectiveness is due to the presence of functions of acid.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Oxalate / metabolism*
  • Crystallization
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Nephrolithiasis / metabolism
  • Nephrolithiasis / prevention & control
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Tamaricaceae*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Calcium Oxalate