Zootherapeutics (Animal-based remedies) for urolithiasis: History, current scenario and future dimensions

Abstract

Animals like plants are also medicinal agents for the prevention and cure of different health problems all over the world practically in about all human cultures. The concept of zootherapy is very old and has strong evidence of the medicinal use of animal resources. Different animals their body parts and preparations are used in folk medicines. Zootherapy reveals that medical practitioners have always considered animals as a source of surprising and numerous therapeutic effects. A high diversity of animals, their parts and derivative products are used and this is a heritage that could constitute a fundamental step for the discovery and isolation of natural extracts and new and low-cost alternative drugs from animals. About 12% of people in the world are affected by different types of urolithiasis and the recurrence rate in female is 47-60% and in male is 70-80%. According to WHO 75% population rely on traditional medicines for the prevention and cure of different diseases. Hence there is a need to concentrate on all folk natural products effective in urolithiasis for their pharmacological evaluation, isolation of single drug molecule responsible for anti-urolithiatic activity to developed suitable formulations used against urolithiasis.

Tanacetum species: Bridging empirical knowledge, phytochemistry, nutritional value, health benefits and clinical evidence

“…Feverfew is called “Santamaría" in Mexican folk medicine; high doses from the aerial parts and leaves infusion are orally taken to induce abortion ( Andrade-Cetto, 2009 ). The roots are mixed with honey and vinegar and used as a litholytic for bladder stones ( Ahmed et al, 2016 ).…”

Engineered In vitro Models for Pathological Calcification: Routes Toward Mechanistic Understanding

“…These models are created to determine the effectiveness of various testing extract or compounds for treatment of urolithiasis. [ 150 ] The benefits of in vitro models not only include preliminary studies before invasive in vivo testing but also prevent high number of costly replicates and animal studies. [ 150 ] Conventional 2D cell culture models are used to inhibit the crystal‐binding sites in renal epithelial cells that resulted in decreased crystal aggregation.…”

“…[ 150 ] The benefits of in vitro models not only include preliminary studies before invasive in vivo testing but also prevent high number of costly replicates and animal studies. [ 150 ] Conventional 2D cell culture models are used to inhibit the crystal‐binding sites in renal epithelial cells that resulted in decreased crystal aggregation. [ 150 ] However, 2D models are not representative of more complex in vivo conditions and does not incorporate ECM, inhibitors, and promotors of calcification.…”

“…[ 150 ] Conventional 2D cell culture models are used to inhibit the crystal‐binding sites in renal epithelial cells that resulted in decreased crystal aggregation. [ 150 ] However, 2D models are not representative of more complex in vivo conditions and does not incorporate ECM, inhibitors, and promotors of calcification. Despite the limitations of in vitro urolithiasis models, they can still provide great knowledge on prophylactic management to prevent stone recurrence and test effective laser treatments.…”

“…that use salt‐forming solution that dropwise is being collected in hot water then goes through crystallization by cooling and drying. [ 150 ] Another model, silica‐hydro gel acts as a growth medium, which seeding solution added to the formed gel reacts with the gel structure leading to the growth of different types of single urinary crystals. [ 150 ] This model is used to evaluate the crystallization of urinary crystals.…”