Anatolian Propolis Prevents Oxalate Kidney Stones: Dramatic Reduction of Crystal Deposition in Ethylene-Glycol-Induced Rat Model

One of the many properties of propolis, a gift of nature, is that it is a potent antioxidant agent, which has been shown to be a miracle-worker in many different diseases. In this study, its possible protective and reversing effects against hiperoxaluria was investigated in a rat model in comparison with verapamil. In all 5 groups (Total n=76), aside from the control, hiperoxaluria was induced with continuous ethylene glycol (EG) administration. The others received EG only, 50 mg/kg propolis, 100 mg/kg propolis and 1mg/kg verapamil. To estimate the antioxidant/oxidant status in the tissue and serum samples, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and total anti-oxidant capacity (T-AOC) were measured after 7 and 28 days. In the early phase, serum T-AOC levels were significantly elevated in the EG+P100 (p=0.0062) compared to the control, while in the late phase, it was elevated in the EG+P50 (p=0.037) and EG+V (p=0.009) compared to the EG only group. Propolis administration was observed to dramatically decrease crystal deposition (p<0.0001) and was more effective in the prevention of oxalate-induced renal injury than verapamil. Propolis being a natural product with almost none adverse effects elevates its value as a future approach to urolithiasis.