Antiurolithiatic Activity of Diplazium Esculentum Plant Extract: An In-Vitro Approach

Introduction: Urolithiasis, a condition of growing clinical significance, is among the most common diseases encountered in urology clinics. The primary types of uroliths found in humans include oxalate, struvite, urate, brushite, and cystine. With its increasing global prevalence and severity, urolithiasis has become a pressing medical concern. Recent studies have highlighted the effectiveness of medicinal herbs and natural substances in its treatment and management. Diplazium esculentum, an edible fern from the Athyriaceae family, has long been consumed as a vegetable and is valued for its economic, cultural, ecological, and health benefits. However, its potential role in urolithiasis prevention or treatment remains unexplored. Objectives: The intention of this article is to appraise the antiurolithiatic potential of the plant extract Diplazium esculentum through an in-vitro study. Materials and Methods: The in-vitro antiurolithiatic activity was evaluated using nucleation assay, aggregation assay, and oxalate depletion assay. Results: The IC50 values of the Diplazium esculentum extract were quantified as 67.04 µg/mL, 69.33 µg/mL, and 1161.92 µg/mL in the nucleation assay, aggregation assay, and oxalate depletion assay, respectively. D. esculentum demonstrated significant suppression of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal nucleation, aggregation, and oxalate depletion. Conclusion:D. esculentum has strong antiurolithiatic activity against calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis in vitro, likely due to the phytochemicals it contains. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52783/jchr.v15.i2.7716