THE SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF THE LEAVES OF MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) AND FLEURYA AESTUANS (LAPORTEA), AND ROOTS OF CYNODON DACTYLON ON ETHYLENE GLYCOL INDUCED KIDNEY STONES IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Kidney stones are a painful, recurrent condition often treated surgically; plant‑based therapies remain underinvestigated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the nephroprotective and anti‑urolithic effects of ethanolic extracts of Mangifera indica leaves (MIL), Cynodon dactylon roots (CDR) and Fleurya aestuans leaves (FAL), individually and combined, in an ethylene glycol (EG)‑induced rat model.  Twenty‑four male Wistar rats (110–150 g) were divided into six groups (n = 4): Group 1, control (water); Group 2, EG (0.75% w/v) negative control; Group 3,  EG + MIL; Group 4,  EG + CDR; Group 5, EG + FAL; Group 6, EG + MIL+CDR+FAL (combined). Extracts were administered orally daily for 28 days concurrently with EG. Body weights were recorded weekly. Serum urea, creatinine, uric acid and calcium were measured; kidney histopathology was performed. Acute toxicity (OECD 423) at 2000 mg/kg showed no mortality. EG induced significant renal impairment: urea 67.62 ± 3.20 mg/dL and creatinine 0.37 ± 0.02 mg/dL (Group 2). Treatment groups showed significant improvements (p < 0.05). The combined group restored urea to 27.56 ± 1.21 mg/dL and creatinine to 0.18 ± 0.01 mg/dL (comparable to control). The EG group exhibited tubular dilatation, necrosis and intratubular crystals; treated groups showed reduced lesions, with the combined group showing near‑normal kidney architecture. The extract of Mangifera indica and Fleurya aestuans, as well as the roots of Cynodon dactylon, exert nephroprotective and anti‑urolithic effects in EG‑induced rats, with evidence of synergism when combined.