Abstract
The herb Nelumbo nucifera G., popularly known as ' lotus,' is well known in ancient texts for various kidney and urine formation conditions. The present study aimed to assess the effect of Nelumbo nucifera flower extract on the formation of kidney stones and evaluate the potential mechanisms involved using in silico -pharmacology approach along with in vitro and in vivo experiments. The aqueous extract of the flower was examined for anti-urolithiasis activity using nucleation and aggregation assays in vitro and in vivo in an ethylene glycol (EG)-induced urolithiasis model in male Wistar rats. Various physical, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters were evaluated in the serum, urine, and kidney homogenates, including body weight, urine output, SOD, MDA, creatinine level, and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), followed by histopathological analysis of the kidneys to observe the effects of treatment. In vitro assays showed an increased percentage inhibition of calcium oxalate aggregation. The in vivo results were encouraging in terms of reducing metabolic stress and increasing renal function via pathways involved in inflammation, apoptosis, nitrogen metabolism, and pH balancing.