Evaluation of the efficacy of Phyllanthus niruri standardized extract combined with magnesium and vitamin B6 for the treatment of patients with uncomplicated nephrolithiasis

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of Phyllanthus niruri standardized extract, combined with magnesium and B6 vitamin, used to treat uncomplicated nephrolithiasis.

Patients and methods. We included in the present study 48 patients with uncomplicated nephrolithiasis, with the maximum calculi diameter of up to 15 mm, confirmed by non-contrast-enhanced computer tomography. Each patient followed a three-month therapeutic regimen with the above mentioned combination, with imaging assessment of the calculi after treatment.

Results. Per patient: The mean age of the patients was 48 years. The median number of calculi was 1 and the mean dimension was 5.5 mm. The stone-free status after treatment was not correlated with gender (p=0.7), side location (p=0.8) or with the number of calculi (p=0.3), but we found a correlation with the location in the upper or middle calyx (54.5% vs 13.8%, p=0.008) and with the maximum diameter (p=0.001). Per stone: 60 calculi were analyzed, 8.3% being located in the upper calyx, 36.7% in the middle and 55% in the lower one. After treatment, 40% were absent, 21.7% showed lower dimensions and 38.3% remained unchanged, with the mean reduction of 1.7 mm. We identified a cut-off value of ≤ 3 mm (AUC 0.9, CI:0.8-0.9, p<0.0001) for the prediction of stone-free status after treatment.

Conclusions. The current treatment had the highest efficacy in achieving stone-free status for patients with calculi ≤ 3 mm, located in the middle or upper calyx. A higher duration of the treatment might show improved results.