Crystal growth of calcium oxalate induced by the extracts of Semen Plantaginis and Folium Pyrrosiae

The crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOxa) in aqueous solution of the extracts of Semen Plantaginis and Folium Pyrrosia has been investigated, focusing Oil the inhibition mechanism of some herbs oil stone formation. It has been shown that in the presence of extracts of above two herbs, calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) crystals with typical morphologies of tetragonal bipyramids were obtained. This suggests that the extracts of Semen Plantaginis and Folium Pyrrosiae call promote the formation of thermodynamically Unstable COD, and inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), a major component of urinary stone. The formation mechanism of COD crystals induced by Semen Plantaginis and Folium Pyrrosiae is also discussed, indicating that the bioorganic molecules in the extracts of the herbs can induce the nucleation and growth of COD crystals. This study can help us make clear the inhibition mechanism of some herbs oil stone formation that is in favor of the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis. (C) 2008 WILEY-VCH GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.