Targeting urinary calcium oxalate crystallization with inulin-type AOFOS from Aspidopterys obcordata Hemsl for the management of rat urolithiasis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Calcium oxalate crystals play a key role in the development and recurrence of kidney stones (also known as urolithiasis); thus, inhibiting the formation of these crystals is a central focus of urolithiasis prevention and treatment. Previously, we reported the noteworthy in vitro inhibitory effects of Aspidopterys obcordata fructo oligosaccharide (AOFOS), an active polysaccharide of the traditional Dai medicine Aspidopterys obcordata Hemsl. (commonly known as Hei Gai Guan), on the growth of calcium oxalate crystals.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigated the effectiveness and mechanism of AOFOS in treating kidney stones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An kidney stones rats model was developed, followed by examining AOFOS transport dynamics and effectiveness in live rats. Additionally, a correlation between the polysaccharide and calcium oxalate crystals was studied by combining crystallization experiments with density functional theory calculations.

RESULTS: The results showed that the polysaccharide was transported to the urinary system. Furthermore, their accumulation was inhibited by controlling their crystallization and modulating calcium ion and oxalate properties in the urine. Consequently, this approach helped effectively prevent kidney stone formation in the rats.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study emphasized the role of the polysaccharide AOFOS in modulating crystal properties and controlling crystal growth, providing valuable insights into their potential therapeutic use in managing kidney stone formation.