An in vitro study of Hydrangea arborescens, homoeopathic preparation as an inhibitor of Calcium oxalate crystallisation

Abstract

Background: Homoeopathic mother tincture Hydrangea arborescens (Hydrang.) is conventionally used for urinary complaints, such as urinary tract infection, renal stones and prostate hypertrophy. However, the mode of its action for annihilation of complaints remains uncertain. This study was designed to investigate in vitro effect of homoeopathic preparations of Hydrang. on urolithiasis (Calcium oxalate [CaOx] crystallisation). Objective: To analyse the role of Hydrang. a, homoeopathic preparation in an in-vitro CAOx crystallisation. Materials and Methods: Spectrophotometric crystallisation assay was carried on and the slopes of nucleation and aggregation phases were calculated using linear regression analysis, and the percentage inhibition exerted by the Hydrang. Q, 6C, 30C and 200C was calculated. Microscopic observations of crystals of CaOx were carried out in the presence and in the absence of Hydrang. Q, 6C, 30C and 200C to support the spectrophotometric crystallisation assay. Results: The crystallisation studies performed indicate Hydrang. to be a potent medicine against CaOx crystallisation both at the level of nucleation and aggregation. Hydrang. Q favours aggregation to a great extent by showing the inhibition of about -15%; while for 6C, 30C and 200C, the percentage inhibition was 13.70%, 42.30% and 14.90%, respectively. This shows inhibitory nature for aggregation, with maximum inhibition shown by Hydrang. 30C potency. Conclusion: The homoeopathic preparations of the Hydrang. inhibit the primary events of stone formation. The findings of the above experiment show the evidence to support the usefulness of Hydrang. in the cases of renal calculi.