Growth characterization of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals influenced by Memecylon edule extract

Abstract

To investigate the inhibitory effect of ethanol extract of leaves of Memecylon edule on the growth of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CHPD) crystals. Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (CHPD) crystals were grown by the single diffusion gel growth technique and the inhibitory effect of ethanol extracts of leaves of Memecylon edule on the growth of CHPD crystals has been studied. The grown crystals were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD) for further confirmations. With an increase in the concentration of ethanol extract of Memecylon edule, the weight of the formed crystals were gradually reduced from 2.55 g to 0.13 g (leaves) for the CHPD crystals, respectively. The crystals harvested from the CHPD were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm the functional groups, and Powder X-Ray Diffraction technique (XRD) analyses to confirm the crystalline phases of the CHPD and hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals. Results obtained indicated that Memecylon edule (leaves) has the potential to inhibit the formation of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals. This study confirms that using ethanol extract of leaves of Memecylon edule can promote the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals and reduce the nucleation rate of CHPD crystals, a major component of calcium urinary stone.