Kinetic Studies, Nucleation, and Crystallization Behavior of Calcium Oxalate in the Presence of Natural Phytochemicals

ABSTRACT

Kidney stone disease (nephrolithiasis) is a recurrent urological disorder in which calcium oxalate (CaOx) is the predominant crystalline component. This study investigated the effects of anethole, isoeugenol, silibinin, and potassium citrate on CaOx crystallization kinetics under varying supersaturation conditions. Induction time analysis demonstrated that all tested compounds delayed crystal nucleation at lower supersaturation ratios, with potassium citrate increasing induction time from ∼460 s in the control to ∼650 s at SRs 0.72. Surface energy and nucleation rate analyses further revealed supersaturation‐dependent modulation of crystallization kinetics, particularly in the presence of silibinin. FESEM analysis showed reduced crystal aggregation and altered crystal morphology in treated groups, while XRD and FTIR confirmed calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) as the predominant crystalline phase. Zeta potential measurements demonstrated enhanced negative surface charge at high supersaturation, particularly for anethole (−38.8 ± 0.75 mV) and potassium citrate (−28.5 ± 0.75 mV), suggesting improved colloidal stability and reduced aggregation tendency. Collectively, the findings indicate that these phytochemicals modulate CaOx nucleation, growth, and aggregation through supersaturation‐dependent interfacial interactions. The integrated kinetic, structural, and morphological analyses presented here provide further insight into phytochemical‐mediated regulation of calcium oxalate crystallization, although additional in vivo and clinical studies are required to establish therapeutic relevance.