Inhibitory Effect of Hydroxycitrate on Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation in a <i>Drosophila</i> Model

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of hydroxycitrate (HCA) and potassium citrate (PC) on the prevention and treatment of calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones in a fruit fly model. Drosophila melanogaster was used as an insect model of lithogenesis. The lithogenic agent used was 0.25% ethylene glycol. For determining the preventive effects, 2% PC and 2% HCA were added along with the lithogenic agent at the start of experiment. For determining the treatment effects, the lithogenic agent was added at the start of experiment to induce crystal formation, and 2% PC and 2% HCA were added from the third week. After 3 weeks, the Malpighian tubules of Drosophila were observed under polarized light microscopy, and the results were calculated. The preventive effect on the formation of CaOx in PC group was 9.38 ± 4.42% and in HCA group was 4.51 ± 3.85%. The treatment effect of PC was 56.90 ± 20.43% and that of HCA was 39.09 ± 15.36%. HCA has both preventive and treatment effects on the formation of CaOx crystals in the Malpighian tubules of Drosophila, and the effects were better than those of PC.

Suppressing Barium Sulfate Crystallization with Hydroxycitrate: A Dual Nucleation and Growth Inhibitor

“…Crystal growth modifiers are capable of altering the morphology, size, and/or structure of crystals, often through preferential interaction with different crystallographic facets. , Modifiers are typically decorated with functional groups (motifs) that have a strong binding affinity to crystal surface sites (kinks, step edges, or terraces) where they impede solute attachment via distinct modes of action , that alter anisotropic rates of growth with concomitant impact on crystal shape . Citric acid (CA) is a common modifier of numerous minerals, such as calcium oxalate monohydrate and calcium carbonate, ,− and is an active component in formulations used to prevent pipe corrosion. − Citrate is also commonly used as a capping agent for materials such as silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles to elicit tailored crystal morphologies. − An analogue of citrate, hydroxycitrate (HCA), has also been found to be an effective inhibitor of calcium-based crystallization through a unique strain-induced mechanism. − …”

Astragalus membranaceus Extract Prevents Calcium Oxalate Crystallization and Extends Lifespan in a Drosophila Urolithiasis Model

“…This tropical fruit found in Southeast Asia, which is rich in HCA, is traditionally used for cooking purposes in India and may be a potential antilithogenic herb. Fan et al and Chen et al further studied HCA to analyze its preventative effects on CaOx formation in Drosophila models [ 15 , 18 , 40 ]. However, the ex vivo effect of HCA on the dissolution of CaOx crystals differed from that of both these groups when compared with that of K-citrate.…”

Animal Models for Studying Stone Disease

“…This novel animal model has been used to test the effect of potassium citrate, a clinical CaOx-preventive drug, and as the positive control in a further study. This model has been further used to screen some potential antilithic or lithogenic agents, such as commercial drinks, herbal medicines, cola, ractopamide and hydroxycitric acid [ 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

“…This tropical fruit from Southeast Asia contains HCA, was traditionally used for cooking in India, and may be a potential anti-lithogenic herb. HCA was further studied for its preventive effect on calcium oxalate formation in the fly model [ 23 , 60 ].…”

“…However, a nation-wide population study of Wulingsan did not find its preventive effect clinically [ 70 ]. HCA has proven its antilithic effect both in vivo and in vitro [ 23 , 59 , 60 ]. However, further clinical trials for proving HCA’s effect are needed.…”