In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Neprolithiatic Activity of Leaves and Seeds of Macrotyloma uniflorum on Dissolution or Removal of Kidney Stones

Nephrolithiasis is a chronic disease and in medical terms refers to formation of stones in kidneys. A renal calculus or kidney stone is a solid aggregation formed in kidneys from various minerals present in the diet. The kidney stones differ in sizes, shape and types. Kidney stone formation is a complex process that involves nucleation, supersaturation, growth, aggregation and retention within the kidney. The treatment of removal of kidney stones includes Extra corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy which can also sometimes cause renal injury. Various plant species have been used for the treatment of kidney stones. Macrotyloma uniflorum (Horse gram) is a popular pulse of Uttarakhand, locally known as Gaheth. M. uniflorum seeds are rich in protein, consumed in majority by poorest section of the society and are cultivated in India since prehistoric times. M. uniflorum seeds have been used by people of Uttarakhand for the treatment of kidney stones though till date no scientific explanation regarding its mechanism of action is known. The leaves have been used as a source of animal feed and are not consumed by humans. In the present study we focus on the comparative anti-nephrolithiatic activity of seeds and leaves of M. uniflorum and also the different bioactive components that may be responsible for dissolution of experimental kidney stones.