Golden Dewdrop (D. erecta) leaves may cure Kidney Stones, finds AYUSH study

The leaves of D. erecta, also known as ‘golden dewdrops’ can be used as a potential anti-urolithiasis agent for kidney stone removal, suggests a study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.

Urolithiasis refers to the process of formation of stones in the kidney, bladder, and/or urethra (urinary tract). In Asia, about 1%–19.1% of the population suffer from urolithiasis which leads to a number of urinary system disorders such as kidney stones, bladder stones and stones in the urinary tract. Urolithiasis is the third common urinary system disorder affecting 10–15% of the general population. Herbal drugs are reported to be effective in the treatment of urolithiasis with no side effects.

D. erecta, commonly known as ‘golden dewdrops’ is a smooth, unarmed shrub, with straggling and drooping branches and is rich in phytochemicals. Prior studies have found vital phytochemicals such as alkaloids, glycosides, and saponin in the plant extract. The whole plant has various medicinal properties. The fruits are used as a febrifuge and treating malaria, intestinal worms while leaves are used for the treatment of abscesses. Flowers of Duranta erecta are believed to be stimulant and the whole plant is used as an insect repellent, treatment of itches, infertility, fever, and pneumonia by the tribal and the in the mainstream in Bangladesh

The present study aimed at exploring the anti-urolithiatic activity of methanolic extract of Duranta erecta leaves by in vitro and in vivo analysis.

The authors studied the presence of phytochemicals in D. erecta, its yield in percentage, antioxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and anti-microbial property against few bacteria. Anti-urolithiatic property of D. erecta was analyzed in vitro via nucleation assay and synthetic urine assay for inhibition of calcium oxalate and calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals formation. An in vivo experiment was performed on wistar rats for confirmation of anti-urolithiatic property of D. erecta in the animal model.

The authors found that

• Primary and secondary metabolites found in the D. erecta extracts were glycoside, saponins, sterols, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids, carbohydrates and proteins.


• Methanolic extract of D. erecta gave a very good yield (60%).


• D. erecta proved its antioxidant potential by 93.51% inhibition of DPPH radical at a concentration of 1000 μg/mL where ascorbic showed 94.71% of DPPH radical at the same concentration.


• In vitro tests like nucleation assay and synthetic urine assay showed that D. erecta inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate and calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals.


• It also showed the anti-microbial property by the formation of a zone of inhibition against few bacteria.


• In vivo experiment on wistar rat animal model confirmed the anti-urolithiatic property of erecta leaves extract.

The authors conclude: D. erecta may treat calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the kidney by preventing hyperoxaluria-induced peroxidative damage to the renal tubular membrane surface (lipid peroxidation). It has anti-microbial potential so it may also inhibit the secondary bacterial infection in the kidney. D. erecta can be used as a potential anti-urolithiasis agent for kidney stone removal.

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