Evaluation of Antiurolithiatic Activity of Betula utilis in Rats Using Ethylene Glycol Model

This study was aimed to evaluate the antiurolithiatic activity of alcoholic extract of Betula utilis in rats using ethylene glycol model. Standard drug used was Cystone. Healthy male Wistar rats weighing 180-200 g were selected. Ethylene glycol (0.75%) in drinking water was fed to all the groups (Groups II-VII) except normal control (Group I) for 28 days to induce urolithiasis for curative regimen (CR) and preventive regimen (PR). Groups III, IV served as CR and groups V, VI served as PR were treated with alcoholic extract of Betula utilis (250 and 500 mg/kg) Groups II and VII served as model control and standard (Cystone 750 mg/kg) respectively. Several parameters were used including urinary volume, urine pH, urine analysis, serum analysis, kidney homogenate and histopathology of kidney to assess the activity. The results indicated that the administration of alcoholic extract of Betula utilis to rats with ethylene glycol-induced lithiasis significantly reduced all the elevated biochemical parameters (calcium, phosphate, oxalate, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid), restored the urine pH to normal and increased the urine volume significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to the model control. This study supports the usage of alcoholic extract of Betula utilis in urolithiasis.