Viburnum opulus: could it be a new alternative, such as lemon juice, to pharmacological therapy in hypocitraturic stone patients?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Citrate, potassium, and calcium levels in Viburnum opulus (V. opulus) and lemon juice were compared to evaluate the usability of V. opulus in mild to moderate level hypocitraturic stone disease.MATERIALS AND METHODS: V. opulus and lemon fruits were squeezed in a blender and 10 samples of each of 100 ml were prepared. Citrate, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and pH levels in these samples were examined.RESULTS: Potassium was found to be statistically significantly higher in V. opulus than that in lemon juice (p = 0.006) whereas sodium (p = 0.004) and calcium (p = 0.008) were found to be lower. There was no difference between them in terms of the amount of magnesium and citrate.CONCUSIONS: Because V. opulus contains citrate as high as lemon juice does and it is a potassium-rich and calciumand sodium-poor fluid, it can be an alternative to pharmaceutical treatment in mild-to-moderate degree hypocitraturic stone patients. These findings should be supported with clinical studies.