Lithiasis is a condition that can lead to kidney stones when minerals like calcium and oxalate are not excreted properly by the kidneys. The development of kidney stones is usually caused by high levels of calcium in the urine, which can lead to a buildup of crystals that form into stones. (1)
Avocado (Persea americana Mill) Leaves Extract has been shown to have anti-lithiasis activity. In this article, we will evaluate a study aimed to investigate whether this extract affects urinary stone formation.
Nephrolithiasis and Avocado Leaves Extract
Nephrolithiasis is a common urinary condition. 80% of nephrolith is calcium oxalate (CaOx) (2). Nephroliths are gravel-like particles in the urinary system. The kidney crystallizes excessive blood salt. The size and form of gravel vary, from microscopic particles that travel undetectably through the blood to gravel's size. Even the smallest grit or stone can cause severe discomfort while leaving the kidney. Gravel inside the urinary system causes minor bleeding. Most kidney stones cause discomfort and annoyance, but repeated bouts might cause renal function loss.
Chemical treatments are used to prevent kidney stones from forming and to assist them to pass naturally. Diuretics cure hypertension, edema, and heart disease.
Avocado leaves are a traditional medical component. The leaves are diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertension, hypoglycemic, diarrhea, sore throat, and bleeding. However, the beneficial impact of avocado leaves is only brought to people's attention by actual proof.
Avocado (Persea americana Mill) Leaves Extract Fights Lithiasis in Rats: A Research
Avocado leaf extract has an important role in the prevention of lithiasis. Lithiasis is a disease caused by the formation of stones in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Avocado leaf extract contains amino acids like aspartate, alanine, and cysteine which are known to be involved in the production of uric acid. The role of avocado leaf extract in preventing lithiasis was determined by a study on white male rats. (3)
The purpose of this study was to determine whether avocado leaf extract has an important role in the prevention of lithiasis. The method used was to feed different doses of avocado leaf extract to white male rats and then measure their urine samples for levels of uric acid and calcium oxalate crystals.
The avocado leaves have been used as traditional medicine as a diuretic to cure urolithiasis in Indonesia. This research was to determine anti lithiasis activity of avocado leaves (Persea americana Mill) extract on white male rat's nephrolithiasis model induced by ethylene glycol. The ethanol extraction method was used to get extract avocado leaves. Twenty adult male white rats were divided into 4 different induction treatments. Their body weight was measured daily to determine their growth ratio. And at the end of the trial, the kidney was analyzed for its calcium level and inhibitory activity to the formation of calcium oxalate crystals.
Results
Rats given avocado leaf extract had substantially lower kidney calcium levels compared to rats given ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride, respectively. Avocado leaf extract is a phytotherapeutic substance that can be advised for preventing the onset of urolithiasis illnesses.
To sum up, ethanol extract from avocado leaves is an effective treatment to prevent the production of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys of rats. The process of calcium oxalate crystal formation can be disrupted by using an extract from avocado leaves as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient.
