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Effect of hydroalcoholic extract from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves on urolithiasis induced in rats

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Abstract

Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. commonly known as “copaíba”, produce a commercially valuable oil-resin that is extensively used in folk medicine for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic purposes. We have found the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant leaf has the potential to treat urolithiasis, a problem affecting ~7% of the population. To isolate the functional compounds C. langsdorffii leaves were dried, ground, and macerated in a hydroalcoholic solution 7:3 to produce a 16.8% crude extract after solvent elimination. Urolithiasis was induced by introduction of a calcium oxalate pellet (CaOx) into the bladders of adult male Wistar rats. The treated groups received the crude extract by oral gavage at 20 mg/kg body weight daily for 18 days. Extract treatment started 30 days after CaOx seed implantation. To monitor renal function sodium, potassium and creatinine concentrations were analyzed in urine and plasma, and were found to be in the normal range. Analyses of pH, magnesium, phosphate, calcium, uric acid, oxalate and citrate levels were evaluated to determine whether the C. langsdorffii extract may function as a stone formation prevention agent. The HPLC analysis of the extract identified flavonoids quercitrin and afzelin as the major components. Animals treated with C. langsdorffii have increased levels of magnesium and decreased levels of uric acid in urinary excretions. Treated animals have a significant decrease in the mean number of calculi and a reduction in calculi mass. Calculi taken from extract treated animals were more brittle and fragile than calculi from untreated animals. Moreover, breaking calculi from untreated animals required twice the amount of pressure as calculi from treated animals (6.90 ± 3.45 vs. 3.00 ± 1.51). The extract is rich in flavonoid heterosides and other phenolic compounds. Therefore, we hypothesize this class of compounds might contribute significantly to the observed activity.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to FAPESP grant # 2008/57775-5 for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Ana Paula S. Brancalion, Rejane B. Oliveira, João Paulo B. Sousa & Jairo K. Bastos

  2. Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    Milton Groppo

  3. Departamento de Medicina, Divisão Renal, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Marcio E. Barros & Mirian A. Boim

  4. Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Andresa A. Berretta

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  1. Ana Paula S. Brancalion
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  2. Rejane B. Oliveira
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  3. João Paulo B. Sousa
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  4. Milton Groppo
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  7. Mirian A. Boim
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  8. Jairo K. Bastos
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Correspondence to Jairo K. Bastos.

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Brancalion, A.P.S., Oliveira, R.B., Sousa, J.P.B. et al. Effect of hydroalcoholic extract from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves on urolithiasis induced in rats. Urol Res 40, 475–481 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-011-0453-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-011-0453-z

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