Urolith Health Dictionary

Squash, pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo & C. moschata).

Plant Part Used: Seeds, fruit pulp, oil.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The seeds are traditionally prepared as an infusion and taken orally for diarrhea, intestinal parasites and worms. The fruit pulp is traditionally prepared as an infusion or juice for the common cold and flu.

Safety: The fruit and seeds are commonly consumed and generally regarded as safe. In animal studies the fruit was shown to be relatively nontoxic.

Drug Interactions: Warfarin (increased clotting time – 1 case; based on a study using the multi-herb supplement Cucurbicin®).

Clinical Data: The following effects of the seed or seed extracts have been investigated in human clinical trials: improved urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and inhibited urolithiasis.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In animal studies the plant or seed extract has shown antiallergenic and hepatoprotective effects. In vitro, isolated compounds from the seed have shown antiproliferative activity. Nutritionally the fruit and flower are a significant source of pro-vitamin A and the seeds are a source of L-tryptophan.

* See entry for Auyama in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... auyama

Buch.-Ham.

Synonym: C. magna (Lour.) DC.

Family: Capparidaceae.

Habitat: Wild as well as cultivated in gardens all over India.

Ayurvedic: Varuna, Varana, Barnaa, Setu, Ashmarighna, Kumaarak, Tiktashaaka.

Unani: Baranaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Maavilingam.

Action: Bark—diuretic (finds application in urinary disorders, including urolithiasis, prostatic hypertrophy, neurogenic bladder and urinary infections; uterine and gastro-intestinal problems). Juice of the bark is given to women after childbirth. Extract of root bark, mixed with honey, is applied to scrofulous enlargements of glands. Whole plant powder—cholinergic in smooth muscles including urinary bladder.

Key application: As antiurolithiatic. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The antiurolithic activity of the stem-bark is attributed to the presence of lupeol. Lupeol not only prevented the formation of vesical calculi, but also reduced the size of the preformed stones in the kidneys of calculogenic rats. It also reversed the biochemical parameters in urine, blood and serum towards normal.

The stem bark also exhibit anti- inflammatory activity, and is reported to stimulate bile secretion, appetite and bowel movement.

Dosage: Stem bark—20-30 g for decoction. (API Vol. I.)... crataeva nurvala

Linn.f.

Family: Loganiaceae; Strychnaceae.

Habitat: Forests of West Bengal, Central and South India, up to 1,200 m.

English: Clearing Nut tree.

Ayurvedic: Kataka, Katakaphala, Payah-prasaadi, Chakshushya, Nirmali.

Unani: Nirmali.

Siddha/Tamil: Thettran, Thetrankot- tai.

Action: Seed—antidiabetic, antidysenteric, emetic.

Mannogalactan from seeds reduces cholesterol and triglycerides (one-tenth and one-fifth when compared to clofi- brate). Seeds are also applied to abscesses, and venereal sores (internally in gonorrhoea). Fruits—antidiabet- ic; antidysenteric, expectorant. (Pulp is used as a substitute for ipecacuanha.)

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the seed in dysuria, polyuria, urolithiasis, also in epilepsy.

The seeds, leaves and trunk bark gave diabolin (major alkaloid) and acetyldiabolin. Seeds also gavebrucine, strychnine, novacine, icajine, oleanolic acid and its glycoside. Leaves and bark gave isomotiol, stigmasterol, campes- terol and sitosterol. Diabolin exhibits hypotensive activity.

A decoction of seeds is given to treat stammering.

The seeds resemble those of Nux- vomica but are non-poisonous. The ripe seeds are used for clearing muddy water.

Dosage: Seed—3-6 g. (API, Vol. IV.)... strychnos potatorum

Linn.

Family: Zygophyllaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to 5,400 m.

English: Land-Caltrops, Puncture Vine.

Ayurvedic: Gokshura, Gokshu- raka, Kshudra (Laghu) Gokharu, Shvadamshtraa, Swaadu-kantaka, Trikanta, Trikantaka. (Larger var. is equated with Pedalium murex Linn. The fruits of both the varieties are conical and have four spines, not three as the synonyms denote. Hence, Acanthospermum hispidum DC. and Martynia annua Linn. have been suggested as the source of Trikantaka.)

Unani: Khaar-e-Khasak Khurd.

Siddha: Sirunenunji, Nerinjil, Nerunjil.

Action: Fruits—diuretic, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anabolic, spasmolytic, muscle relaxant, hypotensive, hypoglycaemic. Used in strangury, calculus affections, urolithiasis, crystalluria, urinary discharges, pruritus-ani, as a tonic in sexual inadequacy; also as a supporting medicine in cough and asthma. Leaf—diuretic, haemostatic. Root—stomachic, diuretic.

In addition to all these applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India attributes cardiotonic properties to the root and fruit.

The plant contains saponins, which on hydrolysis yield sapogenins—dios- genin, gitogenin, chlorogenin, rusco- genin, 25D-spirosta-3, 5-diene, among others. Flavonoids—rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-glucoside and-rutinoside, and tribuloside have been isolated from the leaves and fruits. The seeds contain carboline alkaloids— harmane and harmine. Harmol is also reported from the herb.

A saponin (unidentified) is reported effective for treating angina pec- toris in people with coronary heart disease (406 cases were treated). (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

Diuretic (more than furosemide), proerectile aphrodisiac, hypotensive, hypolipidaemic, hypoglycaemic (40- 67% in diabetic mice) activities have been confirmed in several experimental studies. (Pub Med, Medline abstracts, 2003.)

Dosage: Fruit—3-6 g powder. (CCRAS.)... tribulus terrestris