A new perspective on the use of probiotic bacteria and plant extracts on the reduction of oxalate kidney stones

Hyperoxaluria is the major risk factor for the formation of Calcium oxalate stones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of the simultaneous administration of oxalate-degrading bacterias, TribulusTerrestris, Urtica dioica, and Zea mays extract in reducing urinary oxalate. ۲۴ Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into ۴ equal groups (n=۶). The rats of group I received a normal diet (positive control group) and groups II (negative control group), III, IV rats received a diet containing ethylene glycol (۳%v/v) for ۳۰ days. Groups III rats received Zeamays , Urtica dioica,and TribulusTerrestris extract. Group IV rats received plant extracts and probiotics in combination for ۳۰ days. Also, ۴ strains of Lactobacillus, ۲ strains of Bifidobacterium and ۲ strains of L.paracasei (that showed capability in oxalate degrading in culture media) were used as probiotics. ۲۴-hours urine samples were collected on day ۰, ۱۵, and ۳۰. Urine volume, oxalate, calcium, and creatinine levels were measured. Animals were sacrificed and kidneys were harvested, weighed and histopathologically evaluated for calcium oxalate crystals. Finally, the plant extracts were analyzed by GC-Mass. The obtained results Showed that EG significantly increased urine oxalate, calcium, and creatinine levels, and CaOx deposits. Provision of extracts and probiotics combination resulted in significantly lower levels of urine oxalate, calcium, creatinine and CaOx depositions as compared to Group II. The use of herbal extracts with Probiotic can be effective in the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis.