Evaluation of the efficacy of Phyllanthus niruri standardized extract combined with magnesium and vitamin B6 for the treatment of patients with uncomplicated nephrolithiasis

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of Phyllanthus niruri standardized extract, combined with magnesium and B6 vitamin, used to treat uncomplicated nephrolithiasis. METHODS: We included in the present study 48 patients with uncomplicated nephrolithiasis, with the maximum calculi diameter of up to 15 mm, confirmed by non-contrast-enhanced computer tomography. Each patient followed a three-month therapeutic regimen with the above mentioned combination, with imaging assessment of the calculi after treatment. RESULTS: PER PATIENT: The mean age of the patients was 48 years. The median number of calculi was 1 and the mean dimension was 5.5 mm. The stone-free status after treatment was not correlated with gender (p=0.7), side location (p=0.8) or with the number of calculi (p=0.3), but we found a correlation with the location in the upper or middle calyx (54.5% vs 13.8%, p=0.008) and with the maximum diameter (p=0.001). PER STONE: 60 calculi were analyzed, 8.3% being located in the upper calyx, 36.7% in the middle and 55% in the lower one. After treatment, 40% were absent, 21.7% showed lower dimensions and 38.3% remained unchanged, with the mean reduction of 1.7 mm. We identified a cut-off value of ≤ 3 mm (AUC 0.9, CI:0.8–0.9, p<0.0001) for the prediction of stone-free status after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The current treatment had the highest efficacy in achieving stone-free status for patients with calculi ≤ 3 mm, located in the middle or upper calyx. A higher duration of the treatment might show improved results.