Macrotyloma uniflorum Linn. (Fabaceae) seeds are widely used for their diuretic and
urolithiatic effects in India. The present study investigated the effect of aqueous extract of
Macrotyloma uniflorum seeds (AEMU) on ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis in rats. To
induce urolithiasis, 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol was administered orally for 14 days. The curative
doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg were administered from 15th to 28th day. On 28th day, 24 hr urine,
serum was collected and various biochemical parameters were estimated in urine, serum and
kidney homogenate along with histology of kidney. Co-administration of AEMU with ethylene
glycol has significantly (p<0.001) increased the urine volume and the level of calculus
inhibitors like magnesium, citrate and decreased the level of calculus promoters like calcium,
oxalate, uric acid and urea also decreased in crystallria in urine. AEMU supplement also
prevented the pathological changes in kidney and increased the glomerulus activity of the
kidney. These results indicate that AEMU showed significant activity in urolithiasis which
might be due to its diuretic, calcium oxalate crystal formation inhibitory effects and its ability
to increase the levels of inhibitors and decrease the level of promoters of urolithiasis.
Tamm-Horsfall protein is a critical renal defense factor protecting against calcium oxalate crystal formation
