Beneficial Effect of Artichoke Leaf Extract on Ethylene Glycol-Induced Urolithiasis in Rats

Objective: Urolithiasis is one of the most painful ailments of the urinary tract disorders found in humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-urolithiatic activity of artichoke leaf extract (ART) on ethylene glycol (EG)induced urolithiasis in albino rats. Methods: urolithiasis was induced by adding ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v) to drinking water of rats for 28 consecutive days. Concurrently, ART (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) were orally administrated either from the 1 day in the preventive regimen or from the 15 day in the curative regimen. A standard anti-urolithiatic drug, cystone (CST; 150 mg/kg; p.o.), was also used. Results: EG-induced UL was accompanied by an increase in the serum levels of uric acid, urea, creatinine and calcium with an increase in protein concentration in urine as indicators of renal damage. Moreover, induction of UL was associated with an elevated renal levels of lipid peroxides (measured as malondialdehyde; MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as reliable indices of oxidative stress. In both regimens, administration of ART (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg; p.o.) restored the body weight, the kidney weight and the relative kidney weight. Moreover, ART decreased the serum levels of uric acid, urea, creatinine and calcium and also decreased the protein concentration in urine in a dose dependent manner. It also attenuated the kidney levels of MDA and GSH. Conclusion: ART has a protective effect on the kidney functions in EG-induced UL in rats probably due to its potent anti-oxidant property.