Protective Effects of Chlorogenic Acid Against Sodium Oxalate-induced Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis and Oxidative Renal Injury in Rats
Esra Küpeli, Burçin Ergene, Gülçin Saltan İşcan, Hakkı TaştanIntroduction/Objective:
Chlorogenic acid is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-urolithiatic potential of chlorogenic acid in a sodium oxalate-induced rat model of calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
Methods:
Urolithiasis was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of sodium oxalate (70 mg/kg). Chlorogenic acid (100 mg/kg) was administered orally for seven consecutive days. Urinary and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated, calcium oxalate crystal formation was examined microscopically, renal oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were measured, and kidney tissues were subjected to histopathological examination.
Results:
Sodium oxalate administration significantly increased urinary oxalate, creatinine, and uric acid levels and induced calcium oxalate crystal deposition, oxidative stress, and renal histopathological alterations. Chlorogenic acid treatment significantly improved urinary biochemical parameters, reduced crystal formation, decreased malondialdehyde levels, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Qualitative histopathological examination also indicated attenuation of sodium oxalate-induced renal tissue alterations in the chlorogenic acid-treated group.
Discussion:
These findings suggest that chlorogenic acid may exert protective effects against sodium oxalate-induced urolithiasis through modulation of oxidative stress, reduction of calcium oxalate crystal deposition, and improvement of renal biochemical alterations. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms were not directly investigated and require further investigation.
Conclusion:
Chlorogenic acid demonstrated promising anti-urolithiatic activity in this experimental model. Further mechanistic investigations, dose–response studies, and well-designed clinical studies are warranted to confirm its therapeutic potential.