Traditionally, Strobilanthes crispus is well-known for the treatment of renal diseases. The aim of the present study was to validate the traditional uses of S. crispus by evaluating its anti-urolithiatic activities in vitro. The inhibitory activity against calcium oxalate (CaOx) via aggregation assay and dissolution using titrimetric method were evaluated. The effects of S. crispus and cystone on slope of nucleation and aggregation as well as CaOx crystal growth were evaluated spectrophotometrically. S. crispus was extracted using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water.

Methanol (5.92%) yielded the highest percentage of extract and also showed the highest inhibitory activity against aggregation of CaOx crystals (50.54±2.11%). Ethyl acetate extract had the most effective dissolution effect on CaOx crystals (52.50±2.50%). S. crispus significantly (p< 0.05) inhibited the slope of nucleation and aggregation of CaOx crystal and reduced crystal density. The present study validated the traditional uses of S. crispus, which was found to show significant antiurolithiatic activities. However, further studies are recommended for the isolation and identification of active constituents and their in-vivo analysis.