Inhibition of calcium oxalate nephrotoxicity with Cymbopogon schoenanthus (Al-Ethkher).

We investigated the effects of Cymbopogon schoenanthus herb on experimental induced kidney stones in male Wistar albino rats. Oxalate nephrotoxicity was experimentally induced by 200 mg single dose of glycolic acid given orally (gavage). Rats were divided into three groups, glycolic acid, glycolic acid plus Cymbopogon schoenanthus, and control (D. water). Urine analysis of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and calcium revealed significant differences comparing to the control. In addition, significant pathological changes were found in the kidney revealed by histopathological studies. Daily oral treatment with Cymbopogon schoenanthus (1 ml of the extract) significantly corrected the incidence of nephrotoxicity, BUN, creatinine, and calcium level differences. Moreover, optimization studies showed highly potent diuretic activity of Cymbopogon schoenanthus. After three days of experiments, four rats treated with the glycolic acid only died. The rest of animal survived and looked healthy.