Safety and efficacy of decoction obtained from Asparagus officinalis and Cucumis melo in the management of nephrolithiasis: single blind, randomized, active controlled parallel arm study

Background: Nephrolithiasis (Hisah-al-kulya) is a common and painful condition where the stone formation is due to crystallization of lithogenic factors in the upper urinary tract. There are a number of medications listed in classical Unani literature that are intended to treat nephrolithiasis. Haliyun (Asparagus officinalis) and Tukhm-e-Kharpaza (Seeds of Cucumis melo) are among those drugs which are said to have lithotriptic properties. To evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of oral administration of decoction of Asparagus officinalis and seeds of Cucumis melo in the management of nephrolithiasis. Methods: In a single blind, active controlled two arm study, 44 patients were randomly allocated in test and control group. To check the efficacy, subjective assessment was done after every two weeks of treatment. Investigations including objective and safety parameters were performed only at 0 day and after completion of the treatment. 20 patients from each group completed the trial and the result data obtained was analyzed using student t-test, Wilcoxon, chi-square and McNemar test. Results: The symptoms like flank pain, dysuria and hematuria were graded using arbitrary grading scales ranging from absent, mild, moderate or severe and the results obtained, using Wilcoxon matched pair test and chi-square test, are significant. The ultra-sonography and X-ray data clearly reveals the improvement by the test drug compared to control drug. Conclusion: The current study has shown that the Unani formulation, decoction of Asparagus officinalis and Cucumis melo seeds, possess lithotriptic activity and is safe and effective in the management of Nephrolithiasis.