Investigating the Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ocimum sanctum on In-vitro Calcium Oxalate Crystallization

Abstract

Leaves of Ocimum sanctum have been used in traditional Indian medicinal system since ancient times for its preventive and curative properties for various diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of Hydroalcoholic extract of Ocimum sanctum (OLE) on Calcium oxalate crystallization process. Phytochemical profiling of extract was done using GC-MS to confirm the presence of different therapeutically important phytocompounds. In-vitro effect of different concentrations (1-8 mg/ml) of extract was evaluated at different stages of crystallization i.e. nucleation, growth of crystals and aggregation. The data indicates that upto 40.32% inhibition of calcium oxalate nucleation was observed with maximum concentration (8 mg/ml) of extract used in the study. Microscopic observation revealed that the extract decreased the number and size of crystal nuclei with increase in concentration. Maximum inhibition of aggregation (33.9%) was observed at 1 mg/ml concentration. Significant inhibition of crystal growth was observed at 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml of the extract to 94.59% and 97.21% respectively. On the basis of available data, it can be concluded that Ocimum sanctum leaf extract possess the potential to inhibit all the three phases of calcium oxalate crystallization and can be investigated further for the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis.