Moringa oleifera Lam Root Bark Decoction (MORBD) in Urolithiasis Management – A pilot study

Aims: Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) is a widely used vegetable drug in the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda, the traditional Indian Medical system [1], recommends MO root bark decoction (MORBD) for the treatment of urolithiasis. Alkaloids moringine and moringinine isolated from root bark [2]. Use of MORBD helps alleviate pain along with free passage of urinary calculi. Current studies also confirm safety [3], lithotriptic [4], anti-inflammatory [5], antispasmodic [6], diuretic [7]^, hypnotic [8] activity of MO. Objective: To Evaluate the lithotriptic and anti-spasmodic activity of MORBD in humans. DESIGN: Randomized open labeled study. SUBJECTS: 30 Subjects of either sex, age group between 18–65 years diagnosed for urolithiasis (stone size <10mm) from SMH-IARA*In Patient Department and Out Patient Department. Subjects served as their own controls. INTERVENTION: Standardized MORBD, 40ml, 12^th hourly administered orally for 3–15 days. Pain measured on Visual Analogous Scale (VAS: 0–100), size of the calculi based on ultrasonography (USG). Results: Amongst the 30 (Male: 18, F: 12), size of calculus >8–10mm: 4 subjects (13.33%), size <8mm: 26 subjects (86.6%). 2mm size reduction was observed in 9 (30%) subjects. Stones passed in 15 (50%) subjects. No change was observed in 6 (20%) patients. Mean pain on VAS before treatment 75.60±23.31 and after treatment 23.40±8.10. Significant (p<0.01) reduction in pain was observed during the study. 50% of the subjects passed calculi within the treatment period (<15days). CONCLUSION: This pilot study hints at the potential of MORBD as a drug of choice in urolithisis as an antispasmodic and lithotriptic agent. The observations need further evaluation in a larger collective.

Acknowledgments: Dr.Ala Narayana, Director, Indian Institution of History of Medicine(IIHM),3^rd Floor, Osmania Medical College Building, Putlibowli, Hyderabad, 500095 Andhra Pradesh, India

References: [1] Sushruta, Acharya.Y.T,(1994 repriont) Sushruta Samhita, Chaukhamba Surabharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India. [2] Chopra R N et.al. (1996) Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, NISCOM, New Delhi, India, 4^th reprint, P.170 [3] Mazumder UK et.al. (1999) Indian J Exp Biol. 1999 Jun;37(6): 612–4., [4] Karadi RV. et.al. (2006) J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr 21; 105 (1–2):306–11. [5] Ndiaye M. et al .(2002) Dakar Med.; 47(2): 210–2. [6], [7] Caceres A.et al..(1992) J Ethnopharmacol. 1992Jun;36(3):233–7. [8] Ray K et.al. (2004) Indian J Exp Biol. 2004 Jun;42(6):632–5.

*Srinivasa Multi Speciality Hospital & Institute of Advanced research in Ayurveda [SMH-IARA].