Comparative Investigation of the Effect of α-pinene, Boron, and Tribulus terrestris, and Their Combination on Kidney Stones Induced by Ethylene Glycol in Rats

Background and purpose: Kidney stones are a prevalent disease with a high recurrence rate. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Tribulus terrestris, α-pinene, and boron, both individually and in combination, in treatment and improvement of kidney stones in an animal model. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 1.0%(v/v) ethylene glycol was added to the drinking water of rats for 28 days to induce kidney stones.The animals were divided into six groups (n = 6): control group, ethylene glycol group, and four treatment groups that received ethylene glycol for 2 weeks, followed by ethylene glycol plus α-pinene (10 mg/kg), boron (15 mg/kg), Tribulus terrestris (60 mg/kg), or a combination of all three (same doses), administered daily by gavage from the second week until the end of the study. Biochemical parameters in plasma (creatinine, Ca, P, uric acid) and kidney tissue (Ca, phosphate, and oxalate) and histological evaluations were assessed. Data were analyzed with GraphPad Software. Comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni test. Results: The results indicated that in the ethylene glycol group, serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, phosphorus, and calcium were elevated, and there was also an increase in calcium, phosphate, and oxalate levels in kidney homogenates, suggesting kidney damage. In the treatment groups, the aforementioned blood markers were reduced, indicating effective treatment. Histopathological analysis revealed kidney deposits in the ethylene glycol group, whereas the treatment groups showed a reduction in kidney deposits. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Tribulus terrestris, α-pinene, and boron are effective in management of kidney stones. Moreover, the combination of these three compounds exhibited an improved effect. Results demonstrated that the group receiving all three treatments exhibited the greatest reduction in calcium oxalate crystals. Subsequently, the groups treated with α-pinene and boron, followed by those treated with Tribulus terrestris, showed progressively decreasing effects.