Inhibitory effects of the extracts of Plantago major Linn. on the Number and Size of Calcium Oxalate Crystals in vitro

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the inhibitory effects of the various extracts of Plantago major on calcium oxalate crystals in vitro. The petroleum ether, n-butanol, ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of P. major were each used at a concentration of 10 mg/ml and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a control. Modified Schneider slide gel method was used and the number and size of calcium oxalate crystals (both dihydrate and monohydrate types) were counted every 24 hrs by using the Image Analyser system. There was a significant reduction in the size of the calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals by all of the extracts except for petroleum ether extract compared to the control (p < 0.05). The significant reduction in the size of the monohydrate crystals was only observed in the n-butanol and water extracts (p < 0.05). The size of monohydrate crystal reduced significantly in n-butanol and water compared to zylorik (p < 0.05). The number of monohydrate crystals reduced significantly in the ethanol, n-butanol and water extracts compared to the control and in ethanol(also dyhydrate) and water extractcompared to zylorik (p < 0.05). These results indicated that most of the extracts of P. major could reduce the number and size of calcium oxalate crystals in vitro at 10 mg/ml after 24 hrs.