Inhibition of Calcium Oxalate Crystal Growth in Gel by Macrotyloma uniflorum, Phaseolus lunatus, and Phaseolus vulgaris

This study investigated the inhibitory effects of aqueous seed infusions from Macrotyloma uniflorum (MU), Phaseolus lunatus (PL), and Phaseolus vulgaris (PV) on calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystal growth, a key factor in kidney stone formation. Infusions at concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% were tested using an in vitro gel technique with phytic acid (PA) as a control. After 40 days, SEM analysis revealed irregular, incompletely formed crystals in treated samples compared to well-formed prismatic structures in controls. Morphological changes included dumbbell shapes in PA-treated and prismatic or rosette forms in MU-treated crystals. EDS analysis showed reduced calcium content and increased carbon and oxygen levels, while FTIR confirmed significant functional group modifications, especially with MU. The inhibitory effect was dose-dependent, with MU showing the strongest inhibition, followed by PV and PL, suggesting MU’s potential as a natural preventive agent against calcium oxalate stone formation.