LUCKNOW: Scientists at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIRNBRI) have found that their herbal formulation, NBRIURO-05, significantly reduces calcium oxalate stone formation in preclinical animal models. The study has been published in the reputed journal Fitoterapia.
Developed for the treatment and management of urolithiasis, a common and recurrent kidney stone disorder, the polyherbal formulation combines five medicinal plants: Bergenia (elephant ears), Bhumi Amla, Guduchi, Gokshura, and Indian Barberry, lead scientist Sharad Srivastava said, adding it has shown strong anti-lithiatic, antioxidant and tissue-healing properties.
The product was developed in three key stages — conceptualisation by emphasising on Indian traditional knowledge regarding the therapeutic benefits of medicinal plants in 2016, followed by formulation development, and laboratory evaluation of the product.
Between 2017 and 2019, preclinical validation was performed by the institute in collaboration with CSIR-IITR, which confirmed that NBRI-URO-05 could both prevent and manage urinary stone formation, while maintaining renal health.
Later, in 2020 a clinical trial was initiated at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), which confirmed the efficacy, tolerability, and patient compliance of the formulation, especially as an adjunct or alternative to allopathic management in non-surgical cases. A patent was also filed by the institute in 2018 and the technology was transferred to industry in 2020.
The research published this month found that URO-5 inhibits crystal nucleation and aggregation at low concentrations. It promotes the formation of calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) crystals, which are less damaging and easier to eliminate than monohydrate forms.
It also enhances urinary calcium efflux and significantly reduces tissue calcium accumulation, and results in over 80% reduction in kidney stone burden in animal models, Srivastava said. “We also found that NBRIURO-05 is non-toxic and safe within the specified dose limit, as confirmed by GLP-compliant toxicity studies. In addition, molecular docking studies confirmed that bioactive compounds in URO-5 interact effectively with key proteins involved in stone formation pathways, such as glycolate oxidase, MMP-9, and the calcium-sensing receptor,” he added.
CSIR-NBRI director Ajit Shasany said that this is a herbal formulation developed with complete analysis by the institute, which now holds a research publication containing in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies.
“This achievement reflects CSIR-NBRI’s commitment to translating traditional knowledge into validated, modern therapeutics through cuttingedge science,” Shasany said
