International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention ISSN (Online): 2319 – 6718, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 670X www.ijpsi.org Volume 3 Issue 5 ‖ May 2014 ‖ PP.17-22 www.ijpsi.org 17 | Page Effect of astaxanthin on Diuresis and body composition in experimentalnephrolithiasis Manju Alex 1 , Mathews V Varghese 1 , M Abhilash 1 , M V Sauganth Paul 1 , R Harikumaran Nair 1* 1 School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O. Kottayam, Kerala, India, 686560 ABSTRACT: Nephrolithiasis one of the most prevalent and widely studied of renal diseases. No remedy has proved to be completely effective in alleviating the renal damage caused by kidney stones. The most common type of kidney stones is calcium oxalate stones which are composed mainly of calcium oxy monohydrate crystals. This study has been carried out to evaluate the effect of the xanthophyll carotenoid astaxanthin on diuresis and body composition in male Wistar albino rats in which experimental calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis has been induced using ethylene glycol and 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Astaxanthin extracted from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis at two doses 25mg/kg b.wt. and 50mg/kg b.wt. is fed orally and the food and water intake, urine output, body weight and relative weights of liver, kidney and brain were assessed. It was found that both the doses of astaxanthin in a similar manner stimulate food and water intake, increase the urinary output and help in regaining the body weight all of which were significantly reduced in the nephrolithiatic group. The relative organ weights of liver and kidney which were increased in the nephrolithiatic group were also brought to normal levels. These results indicate a protective effect of astaxanthin on calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. KEYWORDS: astaxanthin, body composition, calcium oxy monohydrate, diuretic, nephrolithiasis I. INTRODUCTION Nephrolithiasis is a renal disease that has worldwide prevalence and high recurrence rate. It is common and is estimated to occur in approximately 12% of the population with a recurrence rate of 70-80% in males and 40-60% in females [1]. Once afflicted, the relapse rate is high and the recurrence interval is shortened [2]. The "stone belt" regions in India comprise of parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. In these regions, the disease is so prevalent that most members of a family will suffer from kidney stones sometime in their lives [3]. 80% of kidney stones are composed of calcium oxy monohydrate crystals [4].Several invasive and non invasive strategies are used for the clinical management of nephrolithiasis but are limited by their adverse side effects and high recurrence rates [5]. Natural products have thus occupied an important part of research in this context due to their minimum side effects. Astaxanthin (3, 3-dihydroxybeta, beta-carotene-4, 4-dione, CAS 472-61-7), is a natural xanthophyll carotenoid credited with several pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti cancer effects [6]. The microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is found to accumulate up to 5% of astaxanthin, the maximum amount as per reported sources [7]. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diuretic potential and the effect in body composition of astaxanthin from H.pluvialis at two doses 25 and 50 mg/Kg b.wt on experimentally induced calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in male Wistar albino rats. The food and water intake, the urine output, the weekly difference in body weight and relative kidney, liver and brain weights were studied to evaluate the potential beneficial effect of astaxanthin. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Animal treatment Ethylene glycol and 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were obtained from Merck India Ltd. Freeze dried Haematococcus pluvialis biomass was purchased from Ambe phytoextracts Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India. The amount of astaxanthin was based on (1.5% w/w) content of astaxanthin to powder.To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin on nephrolithiasis, the animals were randomly divided into six groups of six rats each. Animal care and treatment were in conformity with the guidelines of Institutional Animal Ethical Committee, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India (Approval No: B1662009/3). All animals were housed in a constant temperature room (25 ± 2 ° C) with 12 h light/dark cycle, fed standard diet (Amrut Rat Pellet, Pranav Agro Industries Ltd., Pune, India) and given water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Each group underwent a different treatment for 21 days. The groups were designated as follows: Group I –Control, fed on normal lab diet only.