Effect of Cucumis melo L. seeds extract on renal mRNA levels of Interleukin-10 and Cyclooxygenase-2 in calcium oxalate urolithiasis rats

Introduction:While cyclooxygenase-2 induces inflammatory responses, interleukin-10 is involved in terminating inflammatory responses of macrophages in kidney stones. Cucumis melo has a diuretic and anti-oxidant effect and is, therefore, effective in the disposal of urine sediments. This study aimed to examine the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of C. melo seed on mRNA levels of interleukin-10 and cyclooxygenase-2 coding genes in kidneys of urolithiasis male rats. Materials and Methods: 36 male rats were randomly divided into normal control, urolithiasis control, positive control, and three treatment groups with different C. melo seed extract treatment. Calcium oxalate stones induction was performed by oral administration of ammonium chloride (3 days) and ethylene glycol (38 days). Potassium citrate and hydro-ethanolic extract of C. melo L. seed were co-administered orally with ethylene glycol for 38 days. After the treatment period, the animals were anesthetized and their left kidneys were removed for evaluation of mRNA levels of the IL-10 and COX-2 genes by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The results showed that daily oral administration of potassium citrate and ethanolic extract (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced IL-10 gene transcription in experimental rats compared to the control group. The concentration of 150 mg/kg bodyweight of extract had a stronger effect than potassium citrate. Also, daily oral treatment of potassium citrate and extract (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced cox-2 gene expression in experimental rats compared to the control group. C. melo seed hydro-ethanolic extract can decrease the inflammation induced by renal stones by reducing the mRNA level of Cox-2 coding genes. Moreover, mRNA level of IL-10 was decreased due to the effect of C. melo seed extraction in termination of inflammation. Conclusions: Hydro-ethanolic extract of C. melo seed can significantly decrease the inflammation in urolithiasis which is a major cause of kidney stones formation and growth.