Étude phytochimique et évaluation de l’activité litholytique des extraits de fleurs d’Opuntia ficus-indica et de stigmates de Zea mays

Abstract

This study is part of an effort to utilize medicinal plants in the management of urolithiasis. Its objective is to investigate the phytochemical properties of extracts from prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) flowers and Zea mays stigmas, and to evaluate their litholytic potential. Initially, a general overview of urinary lithiasis and the therapeutic value of medicinal plants was provided, followed by a literature review covering the botanical characteristics and phytochemical constituents of the two plant species. The experimental phase involved aqueous extraction via decoction, infusion, and maceration, followed by an evaluation of in vitro litholytic activity against cystine and phosphate stones over a 27-day period. The results obtained show a progressive decrease in stone mass across the various extracts. For cystine stones, the greatest activity was observed with the Opuntia ficus-indica flower infusion, resulting in a mass reduction from 0.384 ± 0.084 g to 0.098 ± 0.071 g (approximately 74.5%). For Zea mays stigmas, the decoction yielded the most significant reduction, decreasing from 0.301 ± 0.046 g to 0.105 ± 0.149 g (approximately 65.1%). Regarding phosphate stones, the Opuntia ficus-indica flower infusion again demonstrated the most pronounced effect, with a reduction of approximately 75.8%, whereas Zea mays extracts showed reductions ranging from 48.1% to 54.7%, depending on the extraction method. Concurrently, a change in the pH of the dissolution media was observed during the experiment, accompanying the reduction in stone mass. These results highlight the litholytic potential of Opuntia ficus-indica flowers and Zea mays stigmas particularly in the form of infusions, decoctions, and underscore their value as natural sources of bioactive compounds that could be utilized in the search for new alternatives to treat urolithiasis.