Author/Authors :
Mahmood Nia, Leila School of Medicine - Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran , Najafi Dehkordi, Saba Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran , Shirani, Majid Department of Urology - Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran , Hasanpour Dehkordi, Ali Social Determinants of Health Research Center - School of Allied Medical Sciences - Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Abstract :
Introduction: Both watermelon and Persian melon extracts have various pharmacological
properties like anti-diabetic, anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anti-urolithiasis effects.
Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic
extracts of watermelon and Persian melon rind on kidney stone prevention in male Wistar
rats.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-six Wister rats were randomly divided into seven groups and
treated for 28 days. The first group (healthy control) and the second group (negative control)
received drinking water and water containing 1% ethylene glycol, respectively. The third and
fourth groups, received 100 mg/kg/d hydroalcoholic extract of watermelon rind and Persian
melon rind, respectively in addition to 1% ethylene glycol. The fifth and sixth groups, received
400 mg/kg/d hydroalcoholic extract of watermelon rind and Persian melon rind, respectively
in addition to 1% ethylene glycol. The seventh group received 0.5 mEq/kg/d potassium citrate
in addition to 1% ethylene glycol for prevention and treatment of kidney stone. A 24-hour urine
collection was conducted to determine the levels of sodium, calcium, uric acid, oxalate and
citrate concentration. Histological study of calcium oxalate crystals was also performed. The
serum levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, SGPT (serum
glutamic-pyruvic transaminase), SGOT (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase), total
antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) of blood were determined accordingly.
Results: In the present study, administration of high-dose extract of watermelon and Persian
melon rind (400 mg/kg/d) and potassium citrate showed significant changes in variables of
sodium, calcium, uric acid, citrate, urine volume (P<0.01), blood creatinine, blood uric acid,
blood calcium, and serum SGPT (P<0.05). The histological study of calcium oxalate crystals
showed a significant reduction in oxalate levels in all prevention groups.
Conclusion: The extracts of watermelon and Persian melon rind are effective in preventing
calcium oxalate stones by decreasing the levels of oxalate, sodium, and calcium and increasing
citrate levels and urine volume and affecting the total antioxidant capacity. Persian melon rind
extract was more effective than potassium citrate and watermelon rind extract in reducing
urine sodium. High-dose watermelon rind extract showed similar effects as potassium citrate.
Keywords :
Calcium oxalate , Persian melon , Watermelon , Kidney stone , Potassium citrate