PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF ULVA INTESTINALIS USING GC-MS TECHNIQUE AND ITS PROTECTIVE EFFECTS AGAINST ETHYLENE GLYCOL-INDUCED UROLITHIASIS IN RATS

Seaweed has a huge potential as an alternative source for high-quality and healthier food products that have inspired researchers in the last few years. Despite considerable progress in medical therapy, there is no satisfactory drug to permanently treat kidney stones. Therefore, in the current study, the effects of oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Ulva intestinalis on calcium oxalate urolithiasis have been investigated. Various phytochemicals were evaluated by gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry technique. The GC-MS analysis of the methanolic extracts identified 31 metabolites in Ulva intestinalis belonging to different chemical classes. Administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Ulva intestinalis significantly reduced the elevated urinary oxalate, showing a regulatory action on endogenous oxalate synthesis. The serum levels of creatinine, uric acid, and BUN were also reverted to optimum suggesting the attainment of the normal kidney physiology. Consequently, the anti-urolithiatic activity found in the Ulva indicates its promising role in future perspectives as a treatment option for patients with calcic urolithiasis.