A new litholytic therapy for nephrolithiasis

Papalia T* and Greco R

Background and aims: Nephrolithiasis is a widespread disease and it is the most frequent cause of hospitalisation within the urological field. Medical therapy has recently evolved in correcting lithogenous processes and prompting lytic and expulsive processes. Nowadays, among new litholytic drugs, there are phytotherapeutical agents such as the aqueous extract of Phyllantus niruri (Pn). The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of new therapeutic protocols in a youth population affected by Nephrolithiasis.

Methods: We evaluate 40 patients (24 females and 16 males), average age 23, affected by nephrolithiasis. All of 40 patients were randomized to take either a Phillantus niruri extract 2 gm/daily (n. 20), or placebo (n. 20, control group) for 3 months. 

Results: After 3 months of therapy in the treated group the stone free patients were about 65% while in the control group the stone free patients were about 20%. Moreover we observed that Pn intake reduced urinary calcium in 10 hypercalciuric patients. During the Pn treatment none of the patients has suffered from strong colic pain and there have not been drop-outs. 

Conclusions: In our experience the Pn represents an effective alternative to treatment and/or prevention of urolithiasis, although the acting mechanism is not clear. The drug has proven easy to handle, non toxic and cheap. 

Keywords:

Published on: Dec 2, 2020 Pages: 35-37

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/acn.000046
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