Pharmacological Evaluation of Ganoderma lucidum for the treatment of Kidney Stones

Abstract

Kidney stones are prevalent and painful urological conditions with limited effective treatment options. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Ganoderma lucidum for in vitro and in vivo models for the management of kidney stones.
Method- In-vitro experiments using standardized assays were used to assess the antioxidant, anti-nucleation, and anti-aggregation properties of the mushroom extracts against common calcium-based stones. Also, an in vivo study was carried out using a rat model of calcium oxalate urolithiasis, induced by 0.75% v/v ethylene glycol, animals were divided into 5 groups (n=6), group 1 normal control, group 2 disease control, group 3 treated with Standard drug, group 4 and 5 with mushroom extracts of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg, for 4 weeks. The biochemical parameters were measured via blood and 24-hour urine volume. The Calcium Oxalate depositions were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining.
Result- The in vitro findings revealed that the mushroom extracts exhibited significant inhibition of calcium oxalate by nucleation at 48.1±1.42 % and by aggregation at 61 ± 0.46 %. Moreover, in the in vivo study, the administration of these mushroom extracts led to a reduction in stones formed in the rat kidneys. Histopathological examination of kidney tissue from the treated group demonstrated positive results, indicating a reduction in tissue damage and inflammation compared to the disease control group. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in serum creatinine, total protein, urea, uric acid and calcium levels and an increase in serum magnesium levels, indicative of improved renal functions. These findings open avenues for further research into the development of natural remedies for kidney stone prevention and treatment.