Abstract
Kidney stone formation or urolithiasis is a complex process that results from a succession
of several physicochemical events including supersaturation, nucleation, growth, aggregation,
and retention within the kidneys. Epidemiological data have shown that calcium oxalate
is the predominant mineral in a majority of kidney stones. Among the treatments used
are extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and drug treatment. Even improved
and besides the high cost that imposes, compelling data now suggest that exposure
to shock waves in therapeutic doses may cause acute renal injury, decrease in renal
function and an increase in stone recurrence. In addition, persistent residual stone
fragments and the possibility of infection after ESWL represent a serious problem
in the treatment of stones. Furthermore, in spite of substantial progress in the study
of the biological and physical manifestations of kidney stones, there is no satisfactory
drug to use in clinical therapy. Data from in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials reveal that phytotherapeutic agents could be useful as either
an alternative or an adjunctive therapy in the management of urolithiasis. The present
review therefore critically evaluates the potential usefulness of herbal medicines
in the management of urolithiasis.
Key words
kidney stones - urolithiasis - nephrolithiasis - calcium oxalate - oxalates - citrates
- plant extracts - alternative medicine - complementary medicine
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Dr. Veronika Butterweck
Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy
University of Florida
P. O. Box 100494
Gainesville, FL 32610
USA
Phone: + 1 35 22 73 78 59
Fax: + 1 35 22 73 78 54
Email: butterwk@cop.ufl.edu
