European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ANTIUROLITHIATIC ACTIVITY OF DELONIX REGIA SEEDS EXTRACT IN WISTAR RATS

Ved Prakash Singh Kushwaha*, Praveen Kumar Jain, Rahim Khan

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antiurolithiatic potential of the methanolic seed extract of Delonix regia in ethylene glycol- and ammonium chloride-induced urolithiasis in Wistar rats. The seeds of Delonix regia were successively extracted using petroleum ether and methanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging assay were performed. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated according to standard guidelines. Antiurolithiatic activity was assessed in Wistar rats using ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride-induced urolithiasis. Animals were treated with methanolic seed extract at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, while Cystone served as the standard drug. Serum biochemical parameters including creatinine, calcium, urea, and phosphorus were estimated, followed by histopathological examination of kidney tissues. The methanolic extract showed a higher percentage yield (2.20%) than the petroleum ether extract (0.53%). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, tannins, phenolic compounds, and saponins in the methanolic extract. The extract exhibited a total phenolic content of 48 mg GAE/g, a total flavonoid content of 18.16 mg RE/g, and significant antioxidant activity with a DPPH IC₅₀ value of 53.53μg/mL, compared with 21.59μg/mL for ascorbic acid. In the antiurolithiatic study, the methanolic extract significantly reduced elevated serum creatinine, urea, calcium, and phosphorus levels in a dose-dependent manner. The 200 mg/kg dose produced greater protection than the 100 mg/kg dose and showed results comparable to the standard treatment. Histopathological studies further demonstrated reduced calcium oxalate crystal deposition and improved renal architecture in treated groups. The methanolic seed extract of Delonix regia exhibited significant antioxidant and antiurolithiatic activities, which may be attributed to its phenolic and flavonoid constituents. The findings suggest that Delonix regia seed extract possesses nephroprotective potential and may serve as a promising natural therapeutic agent for the prevention and management of urolithiasis.

Keywords: Delonix regia, urolithiasis, calcium oxalate, antioxidant activity, DPPH assay, phytochemicals, nephroprotection, Wistar rats, ethylene glycol, methanolic seed extract.