Antiurolithiatic Potential of Colocasia esculenta Tubers: An Integrative In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Evaluation

Colocasia esculenta has been traditionally used in Persian medicine for treating kidney ailments, with its rhizome juice reportedly effective in dissolving kidney stones. Building upon this ethnomedicinal background, the present study investigated the antiurolithiatic potential of ethanolic extracts derived from the tubers of Colocasia esculenta using a comprehensive approach encompassing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methodologies.

In vitro assays included nucleation, aggregation, and titrimetric assays. The in vivo antiurolithiatic activity was assessed using an ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v)-induced urolithiasis model in female Wistar rats, divided into six groups (n = 6). The extract was administered orally at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight/day, with Cystone serving as the standard reference drug.

Phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract confirmed the presence of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics, known for their antioxidant and therapeutic properties. The extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, and FRAP assays, indicating a potential role in mitigating oxidative stress-related renal damage. In silico docking indicated strong protein-ligand affinities for key phytoconstituents with targets implicated in stone regulation, including vitexin binding to 1PU0, catechin binding to 7P8W and 2ETE, and quercetin binding to 5ZJF and 2NZL. These compounds exhibited superior inhibitory potential compared to standard antiurolithiatic agents such as potassium citrate, indicating their role in preventing crystal aggregation and nucleation. In vitro assays showed that the extract effectively inhibited calcium oxalate crystal formation, an essential step in preventing kidney stone growth. In vivo studies demonstrated dose-dependent improvements, including significant reductions in serum urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels, along with decreased renal crystal deposition. Histopathological analysis confirmed reduced kidney inflammation and crystal accumulation, particularly at the highest dose.

Collectively, these findings suggest that ethanolic extracts of Colocasia esculenta tubers possess promising antiurolithiatic activity. The observed effects may be attributed to their antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibition properties, and direct interference with calcium oxalate crystal formation.

This study supports the traditional use of Colocasia esculenta in kidney disorders and highlights its potential for development into a natural therapeutic agent for urolithiasis.