Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity and In Vitro Growth Inhibition of Struvite Crystals by Ipomoea Eriocarpa Leaf Extracts

The objective of this study was to assess the total phenol, flavonoid, terpenoid and sterol contents and the antioxidant properties of water, ethanol and chloroform extracts of the leaves of Ipomoea eriocarpa. The antioxidant activity of the three extracts was studied using 2,2-diphenyl-dipicrylhydrazyl and hydrogen peroxide methods. The in vitro growth inhibition of struvite crystals was also investigated in the presence of three extracts. Struvite crystals were grown using the single diffusion gel growth technique. The crystals were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric with differential thermal analysis. The ethanol extract showed the highest phenolic, flavonoid and terpenoid contents and possessed better antioxidant properties compared with the water and chloroform extracts. Furthermore, the ethanol extract was the only one that showed growth-inhibition properties. The inhibition of crystal growth by different concentrations of the leaf extract of I.eriocarpa was promising and rapid, indicating that the plant can potentially prevent and cure struvite-based urolithiasis. Practical ApplicationsIpomoea eriocarpa is traditionally used as a vegetable in India. The seeds are nutritious and a good source of carbohydrates and proteins. From the present studies, it can be concluded that regular consumption of this plant can provide a good source of natural antioxidants to the body. Therapeutic doses of the ethanol extract can inhibit or reduce the size of struvite-based kidney stones and could help in the passage of stones through the urinary tube. Thus, the plant can potentially prevent as well as cure struvite-based urolithiasis.