Therapeutic effects of aerial parts of Smyrnium cordifolium ethanolic extract on ethylene glycol-induced kidney calculi in rats

Introduction: In this study, the effects of the ethanolic extract of aerial parts (stem and leaves) of Smyrnium cordifolium (S. cordifolium) Boiss on the ethylene glycol(EG)-induced kidney calculi in rats was investigated. Materials and methods: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided in 6 groups. Group I (normal control), Groups II (control of EG) to VI received EG 1% v/v in water for 28 days. Animals in Groups III and IV (preventive groups) received ethanolic extract of stem and leaves of S. cordifolium in 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg orally in water for 28 days, respectively. Groups V and VI (treatment groups) received extract in 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg orally in water from 15th to 28th day, respectively. Results: Results showed that the level of urine oxalate, blood urea and creatinine in EG group vs. normal control significantly increased (P<0.001). Extract did not show significant effect on urinary oxalate, urine volume and other blood biochemical parameters in the treatment groups (V and VI). Provision of extract resulted in significantly lower levels of urine oxalate and higher level of volume, serum creatinine and blood urea in III and IV groups as compared with Group II (P<0.05). Conclusion: These observations enable us to conclude that the ethanolic extract of aerial parts of S. cordifolium Boiss is effective against EG induced urinary calculi in rats.