# A Novel Persian Herbal Syrups: Preventive and Curative Effects of Syrup Formulation of Achillea. millefolium L. against Ethylene Glycol Induced Urolithiasis in Rats

## TL;DR

This study shows that a syrup made from Achillea millefolium can both prevent and treat kidney stones in rats caused by ethylene glycol.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development and evaluation of a Persian herbal syrup formulation of Achillea millefolium for urolithiasis prevention and treatment.

## Key findings

- A. millefolium syrup reduced kidney stone formation in rats.
- The syrup lowered serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid levels.
- Histopathology showed fewer calcium oxalate deposits in treated rats.

## Abstract

Background: The urinary system is afflicted by urolithiasis, which stands as the
third most common disabling disorder. The application of herbal plants is a
widespread practice there is an increasing interest in research in this domain
to establish scientific reasons for their beneficial properties. Hence, this
study aimed to investigate the protective effects of the novel syrup
formulations of Achillea millefolium against urolithiasis. Materials and
Methods: The two suspensions of A. millefolium, i.e., ethanolic and aqueous
extracts were prepared. The 36 male Wistar rats were divided to six groups,
i.e., group A (control), and ethylene glycol (EG) 1%-induced nephrolithiasis
(groups B to F). The curative (C and D) and preventive (E and F) groups received
300 mg/kg body weight extracts orally from day 15 and first, respectively. After
28 days, the serum and urine samples, as well as, kidneys were taken for
analysis and histopathologically for counting the calcium oxalate (CaOx)
deposits, respectively. Results: Serum parameters such as creatinine, blood urea
nitrogen, and uric acid of group B rats were increased significantly in
comparison to normal rats (P0.001) and extracts-treated groups (C to F). Also,
our results indicated marked (P0.05) reductions in urinary oxalate, phosphate,
and calcium in A. millefolium-treated rats; however, urine citrate in rats of
group B was significantly reduced compared with other groups. Also, compared
with group B, histopathological examinations revealed CaOx deposit reduction in
groups C to F (P0.05). Conclusion: Results of our study show that the treatment
of rats with A. millefolium extracts had curative, as well as preventive
properties on EG-induced kidney stones.