Herbs: An Alternative Approach in Nephroprotection

Kidney stone formation is a worldwide problem, spacing no geographical, cultural, or racial group. It is an ailment affecting human kind for many centuries. Epidemiological studies revealed that nephrolithiasis is more common in man (12%) than in woman (6%) and is more prevalent between the ages of 20-40 in both the sexes. Estimates of Global burden of disease indicate that disease of the kidney and urinary tract account for approximately 8, 30,000 deaths and 18,46,700 disability-adjusted life years annually. Calcium containing stones are the most common comprising about 75% of all urinary calculi. A number of foods such as spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, strawberries etc. are known to contain high oxalate level, which may combine with calcium to form crystals that may block urine flow and cause severe pain, while the plants like Crataeva magna, Tribulus terrestris, Bergenia ligulata, Costus spiralis were advantageous in inhibiting stone formation. According to the American Dietetic Association Nutrition Care Manual, patient with kidney stones is to restrict dietary oxalate to less than 40-50mg per day. Medicinal plants have been known for millennia and are highly esteemed all over the world as a rich source of therapeutic agents for the prevention of various ailments. The present study revealed that approx. 60 plants belonging to different families are extensively used to treat kidney stones. The review therefore critically evaluates the potential usefulness of herbal medicine in the management of Nephrolithiasis.