Antilithiatic activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. on ethylene glycol-induced lithiasis in rats

43-47The ethanolic extract of leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (EEHS) was evaluated for its antilithiatic activity in rats. Lithiasis was induced by oral administration of ethylene glycolated water (0.75 %) in adult male albino Wistar rats for 28 days. The ionic chemistry of urine was altered by ethylene glycol (EG), which elevated the urinary concentration of crucial ions, viz. calcium, phosphate, uric acid and oxalate thereby contributing to renal stone formation. The EEHS, however, significantly (P< 0.05) reduced the elevated level of these ions in urine. Also, it elevated concentration of urinary magnesium, which is considered as one of the inhibitors of crystallization. All these observations revealed that EEHS has curative effect on stone formation induced by ethylene glycol