Prospective Role of Unani Pharmacopeial Formulation Safoof Hijrul Yahood in Preventing Recurrence of Nephrolithiasis: An Open Labeled Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: The recurrence of nephrolithiasis has a high incidence in the northern region of India, posing major health problems.Aim and Objectives: To study the efficacy of the Unani pharmacopeial formulation Safoof Hajrul Yahood (SHY) in preventing the recurrence of nephrolithiasis. Study Design: Open-labeled, single-arm, clinical trial.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 75 cases of uncomplicated nephrolithiasis (Hisat al Kuliya). The post-trial assessment was done on 49 cases after five years. Subsequent to written and informed consent, patients of all genders between 18-60 years with 6-8mm calculi were given SHY (5g twice daily orally for 8 weeks). Patients were followed up fortnightly, investigated at days 0, 15, and 60, and enquired about their diet and fluid intake. The data were analyzed using the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test and paired t-test.Results: The mean age of patients was 33.45 ± 10.99 years, CI (30.92-35.99). SHY reduced 24-hour calcium excretion highly significantly (p < 0.0001). The calculus clearance rate was 64%, and recurrence after five years was 29.16%. The drug was well tolerated.Conclusion: SHY probably corrects crystalloid-colloidal imbalance or the oxalate metabolism and/or renal functions, thus preventing recurrence. However, the exact mechanism of the drug needs to be studied.

Keywords: Crystalloid colloidal imbalance; Nephrolithiasis; Oxalate metabolism.; Recurrence Unani