Evaluation of (Goetgh.) Colebr. stem extracts for urolithiasis and quantification of bioactive alkaloids to validate the traditional claims.

(Goetgh.) Colebr. is widely used for urinary disorders and kidney stones by ethnic communities in southern India. The species is documented in various ancient Indian Ayurvedic literatures having therapeutic use in 'Ashmari' i.e., urolithiasis. The present study aims at validation of anti-urolithiatic potential of various extracts of stem along with identification and quantification of major bioactive alkaloids, i.e., berberine and palmatine through HPTLC and LC-MS/MS. Water extract showed maximum anti-urolithiatic activity which on further kinetic analysis, showed concentration dependent inhibitory delay in nucleation and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals. Berberine and palmatine were quantified with maximum content in methanolic extract (0.478 ± 0.003 and 0.0358 ± 0.001) followed by chloroform and petroleum ether extracts. The study validates ethnobotanical use of as anti-urolithiatic agent. Further, species can also be explored as a substitute for spp. for the alkaloid metabolites i.e., berberine and palmatine.