Urolithiasis- manifestations and therapeutic considerations

Urolithiasis is one of the painful urological conditions found in around 12% of the world''s population. Because of its high recurrence it has a considerable effect on the health system. Risk factors that contribute to a higher incidence of stone formation include dietary factors sex age race familial history etc. Even though there are a few treatments for example a thiazide diuretic allopurinol painkillers dietary adjustments or in severe conditions shock-wave therapy ureteroscopy percutaneous nephrolithotomy that are currently being used in the treatment of kidney stones the side effects associated with these treatments and the recurrence of the disease have encouraged researchers to look for better and more secure choices. Apart from above mentioned conventional treatment procedures medicines derived from plants demonstrate antiurolithiatic activity. This review covers all the aspects of urolithiasis including causes diagnosis surgical interventions the role of plant drugs in the treatment of urolithiasis and lists out various in vitro & in vivo models used by different researchers for evaluating antiurolithiatic activity.