Antihypertensive effect of Lepidium sativum L. in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The antihypertensive and diuretic effects of the aqueous extract of Lepidium sativum L. (LS) were studied both in normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Daily oral administration of the aqueous LS extract (20mg/kg for 3 weeks) exhibited a significant decrease in blood pressure (p<0.01) in SHR rats while in WKY rats, no significant change was noted during the period of treatment. The systolic blood pressure was decreased significantly from the 7th day (p<0.05) to the end of treatment (p<0.01) in SHR rats. The aqueous LS extract enhanced significantly the water excretion in WKY rats (p<0.001) but no statistically significant change was observed in SHR rats. Furthermore, oral administration of aqueous LS extract at a dose of 20mg/kg produced a significant increase of urinary excretion of sodium (p<0.05), potassium (p<0.01) and chlorides (p<0.01) in WKY rats. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, the aqueous LS extract administration induced a significant increase of urinary elimination of sodium (p<0.01), potassium (p<0.001) and chlorides (p<0.001). Glomerular filtration rate showed a significant increase after oral administration of LS in normal rats (p<0.001) while in SHR rats, no significant change was noted during the period of treatment. Furthermore, no significant changes were noted on heart rate after LS treatment in SHR as well as in WKY rats. Our results suggest that daily oral administration of aqueous LS extract for 3 weeks exhibited antihypertensive and diuretic activities.     

Effect of extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus benth,Hieracium pilosella l., Sambucus nigra l. and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (l.) spreng. in rats

Aqueous extracts of Sambucus nigra and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and hydroalcohol extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus and Hieracium pilosella were tested for their diuretic activities in rats; pharmacological evaluation revealed that they led to an increase in urine flow. Urinary sodium excretion in rats was increased with O. stamineus and S. nigra. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus benth,Hieracium pilosella L., Sambucus nigra L. and Arctostaphylos uva‐ursi (L.) spreng. in rats

Aqueous extracts of Sambucus nigra and Arctostaphylos uva‐ursi and hydroalcohol extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus and Hieracium pilosella were tested for their diuretic activities in rats; pharmacological evaluation revealed that they led to an increase in urine flow. Urinary sodium excretion in rats was increased with O. stamineus and S. nigra. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acute diuretic effect of continuous intravenous infusion of an aqueous extract of Coriandrum sativum L. in anesthetized rats

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the acute diuretic activity of continuous intravenous infusion of an aqueous extract of the seed of Coriandrum sativum L. Apiaceae (coriander) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aqueous extract of coriander seed was administered by continuous intravenous infusion (120 min) at two doses (40 and 100mg/kg) to anesthetized Wistar rats. Furosemide (10mg/kg), a standard diuretic was used as the reference drug. Excretion of water and electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride) in urine was measured, and glomerular filtration rate (equal to creatinine clearance) was determined. RESULTS: The crude aqueous extract of coriander seeds increased diuresis, excretion of electrolytes, and glomerular filtration rate in a dose-dependent way; furosemide was more potent as a diuretic and saluretic. The mechanism of action of the plant extract appears to be similar to that of furosemide. CONCLUSIONS: The aqueous extract of coriander seed possesses diuretic and saluretic activity, thus, validating the use of coriander as a diuretic plant in Moroccan pharmacopoeia.     

Diuretic effect of the crude extracts of Carissa edulis in rats

Carissa edulis (forssk) vahl (Apocynaceae) is used traditionally for the treatment of headache, chest complaints, rheumatism, gonorrhoea, syphilis, rabies and as a diuretic. In the present study, the diuretic activity of different extracts of Carissa edulis was investigated. The diuretic activity of the different extracts of Carissa edulis in a dose range of 50-1000 mg/kg was assessed orally in rats using hydrochlorothiazide as a standard drug. The root bark maceration extract showed no effect on the urine output up to a dose of 1000 mg/kg, while the root bark soxhlet extract produced a significant increase (P < 0.05) in urine output at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. The root wood maceration and root wood soxhlet extracts produced a significant increase in urine output at a dose of 50 mg/kg, with a P-value of <0.05. Urinary electrolyte excretion was also affected by the extracts: the root bark soxhlet extract increased urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride ions; root wood maceration extract increased excretion of sodium and potassium, while root wood soxhlet extract increased excretion of potassium ion. These findings support the traditional use of Carissa edulis as a diuretic agent.     

Diuretic activity of Mexican equisetum

Chloroform extracts of Equisetum fluviatile, E. hiemale var. affine, E. giganteum and E. myriochaetum were studied to determine diuretic activity in CD1 strain mice using hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone and furosemide as standard drugs for comparison. It was found that the most active plant was E. hiemale var. affine, followed by E. fluviatile, E. giganteum and E. myriochaetum, producing an effect similar to that of hydrochlorothiazide in relation to the excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride.     

化气活血利水法治疗利尿剂抵抗急性心力衰竭疗效及机制探讨

目的:观察化气活血利水法治疗利尿剂抵抗急性心力衰竭患者的疗效。方法:选取利尿剂抵抗急性心力衰竭患者165例,采用随机数字表法随机分为对照组83例和治疗组82例。对照组采用西医常规治疗,治疗组在对照组基础上加用保元汤合血府逐瘀汤加减,连续治疗7 d,观察比较2组血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)、醛固酮水平、钠排泄分数、尿量、肾小球滤过率(eGFR)、28天全因死亡率、中医症状疗效评分。结果:治疗前后组内比较,治疗组AngⅡ、醛固酮水平均显著低于治疗前(P<0.05);钠排泄分数、尿量明显高于治疗前(P<0.05)。对照组治疗后尿量明显高于治疗前(P<0.05);AngⅡ、醛固酮水平有升高趋势,eGFR有下降趋势,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后组间比较,治疗组AngⅡ、醛固酮水平均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);钠排泄分数、尿量明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。对照组统计死亡15例,治疗组死亡6例,治疗组死亡率明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗组及对照组总有效率分别为92.68%、81.93%,2组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:化气活血利水法能改善急性心力衰竭并利尿剂抵抗患者的神经内分泌水平,提高利尿应答,提升临床效果。     

Diuretic activity of Withania aristata: an endemic Canary Island species

This study reports on the pharmacological evaluation of the diuretic activity of an infusion and a methanol extract of Withania aristata Ait. in laboratory rats. Water excretion rate, pH, density, conductivity, and content of Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-) were measured in the urine of rats subjected to hypersaline conditions. Both the infusion and the methanol extract showed a significant diuretic effect compared with non-treated controls, with notable increases in the rates of water and sodium excretion. There was also a potassium retention effect. The diuretic effect did not appear to be related to the potassium content in the material tested, but did have some relation to its content of active polar compounds. The results justify the use of Withania aristata as a diuretic agent in folk medicine of the Canary Islands.     

Diuretic activity of Smilax canariensis, an endemic Canary Island species

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Smilax canariensis is an endemic species of the Canary Islands, popularly known as "Zarzaparrilla sin espinas". This species has wide use in folk-medicine practice on the islands, especially as diuretic. So the aim of our study is to evaluate the diuretic activity of an aqueous and a methanol extract of this species. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three infusions doses (250, 500 and 750mg/kg) and two methanol extract doses (100 and 200mg/kg) were orally administered to laboratory rats. Water excretion rate, pH, density, conductivity, and content of Na(+) and K(+) were measured in the urine of saline-loaded rats. RESULTS: Water excretion rates were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner by both hot water infusions and the alcohol extract. The electrolytic excretion was also dose-dependent, although potassium excretion was markedly reduced when using the alcohol extract compared with that observed for the infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Smilax canariensis presents a notable diuretic effect which appeared to be related both to its potassium content and to the presence of polar organic compounds. The present results provide a quantitative basis explaining the traditional folk-medicine use of Smilax canariensis as a diuretic agent by the Canary Island population.     

Comparative pharmacognostic studies of three Phyllanthus species

Different species of Phyllanthus are considered to be very effective hepatoprotective agents in the Indian indigenous systems of medicine and are considered bitter, astringent, stomachic, diuretic, febrifuge, deobstruant and antiseptic. Still ayurvedic practitioners prescribed fresh juice of 'Bhuiamlki' for jaundice. Various species of Phyllanthus are being sold in India under the trade name 'Bhuiamlki'. During market surveillance of herbal drug, it was observed that almost all the commercial samples, either comprise of Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thonn. or Phyllanthus maderaspatensis Linn. or mixture of Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus fraternus Webster. and Phyllanthus maderaspatensis. Therefore, in this context the detailed pharmacognostical evaluation of all the three species has been carried out with the aim to establish the identification markers of this important hepatoprotective agent (effective in hepatitis B too). The study conclude that all the three species can be differentiated on the basis of macro and microscopic characters, physico-chemical values, HPTLC fingerprint profile, and detection of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin as marker components. Besides, an interesting conclusion can also be drawn that phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin said to protect hepatocytes against carbon tetrachloride and galactosamine induced toxicity, may not be exclusively responsible for hepatoprotective activity as these are present only in Phyllanthus amarus while Phyllanthus fraternus and Phyllanthus maderaspatensis also possess significant hepatoprotective activity.     

利胆排石片与金钱草片中金钱草替以广金钱草或聚花过路黄后对大鼠尿液、胆汁排出量的影响研究

目的研究利胆排石片、金钱草片中金钱草替以广金钱草或聚花过路黄后对大鼠尿液、胆汁排出量的影响。方法以广金钱草、聚花过路黄替代利胆排石片、金钱草片中的金钱草,制备成相应的药物,给大鼠一次性灌胃给药,采用大鼠代谢笼法,分别记录给药后动物在1、2、3、4、5、6 h的尿液量及6 h内尿液总量;采用胆汁引流法,于动物一次性灌胃给药后,每30 min收集并记录1次胆汁排出量,连续收集3 h,采用t检验,比较各组间尿液与胆汁排出量的差异性。结果与空白组比较,各药物组在6 h内排出的尿液总量明显增加(P<0.01),但尿液明显增加的具体时间各异;与LDPS组比较,LDPS-G组、LDPS-JH组在6 h内尿液总量无明显变化,LDPS-G组尿液量第1 h明显减少(P<0.01),第5、6 h明显增加(P<0.05);与JQC组比较,GJQC组、JHGLH组在6 h内尿液总量无明显变化,GJQC组在第1 h尿液排出量明显增加、第5 h尿液排出量明显减少(P<0.01)。与空白组比较,各药物组在用药30 min后至3 h内的各时间段胆汁排出量都有明显增加(P<0.05或P<0.01);与LDPS组比较,LDPS-G组在给药后的第5、6个30 min胆汁排出量明显减少(P<0.05);与JQC组比较,JHGLH组在给药后30 min内胆汁排出量明显增加(P<0.05)。结论利胆排石片、金钱草片及其组方中金钱草替以广金钱草与聚花过路黄后都呈现出明显的利尿、利胆作用;以金钱草为君药,以防治胆石症为主要疗效的复方中,以广金钱草代替金钱草会降低其疗效,但是以防治尿石症为主要疗效的,用广金钱草替代后可能通过促进尿液的排出增强其疗效;广金钱草利尿作用显效较快,但维持时间较短;聚花过路黄利尿、利胆作用与金钱草类似,可以进一步在临床开展小范围的对照研究,为后期开发提供临床资料。     

Diuretic and anti-diuretic activities of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Alismatis rhizoma

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Alismatis rhizoma or Alisma orientale (Zexie in Chinese), the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale Juzepzuk (Alismataceae), is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and is used as an agent for diuresis and for excreting dampness in Asia and Europe. In this paper, we report the diuretic activities of the ethanol extract (EE) and the aqueous extract (AE) of A. rhizoma (AR).

Materials and methods

The EE and AE were orally administered to rats. The urinary excretion rate and pH, and electrolyte excretion were measured in the urine of saline-loaded rats.

Results

The results showed that EE could increase the urine output at 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg doses but decrease the urine output at 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg doses compared with the control group. The 5 and 10 mg/kg doses of EE increased the urine electrolyte excretion, but the effects on Na⁺/K⁺ values were too weak to reach statistical significance. The Na⁺ excretion and Cl⁻ excretion were markedly decreased with the 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg doses of EE, but the effect on K⁺ excretion was notably slight. All of the tested doses of AE produced an increase in urinary excretion, but the increase did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

This study identified that EE but not AE presents a notable diuretic effect, and EE had diuretic and anti-diuretic effects, which appears to be related to the sodium–chloride co-transporter in the renal distal convoluting tubule. This study demonstrated for the first time that the EE of AR has a dual effect on renal function, including promotion of diuretic activity at lower doses and inhibiting diuretic activity at higher doses, and the AR dose should be given more attention in clinical applications. This study will play a critical and guiding role in the dosing of AR as a diuretic drug in clinical applications.     

Euphorbia hirta leaf extracts increase urine output and electrolytes in rats.

Euphorbia hirta is locally used in Africa and Australia to treat numerous diseases, including hypertension and edema. The diuretic effect of the E. hirta leaf extracts were assessed in rats using acetazolamide and furosemide as standard diuretic drugs. The water and ethanol extracts (50 and 100 mg/kg) of the plant produced time-dependent increase in urine output. Electrolyte excretion was also significantly affected by the plant extracts. The water extract increased the urine excretion of Na+, K+ and HCO3-. In contrast, the ethanol extract increased the excretion of HCO3- decreased the loss of K+ and had little effect on renal removal of Na+. Acetazolamide, like the water extract, increased urine output and enhanced the excretion of Na+, K+ and HCO3-. The high-ceiling diuretic, furosemide, increased the renal excretion of Na+ and Cl-; but had no effect on K+ and HCO3- loss. This study suggests that the active component(s) in the water extract of E. hirta leaf had similar diuretic spectrum to that of acetazolamide. These results validate the traditional use of E. hirta as a diuretic agent by the Swahilis and Sukumas.     

Diuretic and potassium-sparing effect of isoquercitrin-an active flavonoid of Tropaeolum majus L

Aim of the study

Previous studies have shown that the extracts obtained from Tropaeolum majus L. exhibit pronounced diuretic effects supporting the ethnopharmacological use of this plant as diuretic. In the present work, phytochemical investigation, guided by bio-assay in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), was carried out in order to identify the compounds responsible for diuretic action.

Material and methods

Chromatographic fractionation of the hydroethanolic extract yielded an active fraction (TMLR) rich in isoquercitrin. TMLR (25-100 mg/kg) and isoquercitrin (5-10 mg/kg), as well the reference drug hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg) were orally administered in a single dose or daily for 7 days to SHR. The urine excretion rate, pH, density, conductivity and content of sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) electrolytes were measured in the urine of saline-loaded animals.

Results

The urinary excretion rate was dose-dependently increased in both TMLR and isoquercitrin groups, as well as Na⁺. Despite the changes in urinary excretion of electrolytes, the plasmatic levels of Na⁺ and K⁺ had not been changed. In addition, we did not find any evidence of renal toxicity or other adverse effects in these animals, even after prolonged treatment with TMLR or isoquercitrin.

Conclusion

This research supports and extends the ethnomedicinal use of T. majus as diuretic. This activity seems to be associated to the presence of the flavonol isoquercitrin.     

Diuretic activity of some Withania aristata Ait. fractions

We previously reported on the significant dose-dependent diuretic effects produced in laboratory rats by hot water infusions and methanol extracts of Withania aristata Ait., where notable increases were observed in the excretion of water and sodium, with an interesting potassium-saving effect. The present study gives the results of the diuretic effects in rats of the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol–water fractions of the previously studied methanol extract.

Water excretion rate, pH, density, conductivity and content of Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻ were measured in the urine of the rats when subjected to hypersaline conditions. Of the above fractions, the methanol:water extract (100 mg/kg) showed the most interesting diuretic activity (25%; ^**p < 0.01), which suggested that increase in the polarity of the extracting solvent led to an increase in the concentration of the polar compounds responsible for the diuretic effect. These data, together with previous results on the aqueous and methanol extracts, reaffirm assertions made regarding the effectiveness of the extracts of this plant against urinary pathologies in the Canary Islands folk medicine.     

Effects of naringenin and silymarin on urinary excretion of water and electrolytes in rats

The effects of two flavonoid derivatives, naringenin and silymarin on urinary excretion of water and electrolytes were investigated in isotonic saline loaded rats. Both compounds, especially naringenin, showed a moderate diuretic activity, in comparison with furosemide, increasing significantly the renal loss of sodium, chloride and potassium. With respect to silymarin, although urinary excretion was significantly lower, it caused a marked decrease in potassium excretion. These results indicate that naringenin has a diuretic behaviour similar to moderate-efficiency diuretic agents and silymarin to potassium-sparing diuretics.     

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities of Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil

In the Moroccan traditional medicine, the ripe fruits of Carum carvi L. (Apiaceae) and the leaves of Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae/Compositae), two widely available plant materials, are used as diuretics. Since, the diuretic activity of these substances has not been investigated in scientifically controlled studies, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the diuretic potential of aqueous extracts of Carum carvi fruit (caraway) and the leaves of Tanacetum vulgare (tansy) in normal rats after acute and sub-chronic oral administration. Water extracts of Carum carvi and Tanacetum vulgare (100 mg/kg) or the reference drug, furosemide (10 mg/kg) were administrated orally to male Wistar rats and their urine output was quantitated at several intervals of time after the dose. After single doses of the extracts of both caraway seeds and tansy leaves, urine output was significantly increased at all time points, and at 24 h after the dose, the total volume of urine excreted was similar for the plant extracts and furosemide. Both extracts increased urinary levels of Na⁺ and K⁺, to about the same extent, while furosemide increased urinary levels of only Na⁺ and decreased urinary K⁺. Despite changes in urinary excretion of the electrolytes, plasma Na⁺ and K⁺ levels were not affected by any of the three substances. In the 8-day sub-chronic study, all three substances induced significant diuresis and natriuresis; only tansy increased urinary potassium excretion. The plant extracts did not appear to have renal toxicity or any other adverse effects during the study period. In conclusion, water extracts of both Carum carvi and Tanacetum vulgare have strong diuretic action confirming their ethnopharmacological use. From the pattern of excretion of water, sodium and potassium, it may be deduced that there are atleast two types of active principals present in these extracts, one having a furosemide-like activity and the other a thiazide-like activity.     

Diuretic action of hydroalcohol extracts of Foeniculum vulgare var dulce (D.C.) roots in rats

Hydroalcohol extracts of Foeniculum vulgare var dulce (D.C) root were tested for their diuretic activity in rats. Pharmacological evaluation revealed that they led to an increase in urine flow and urinary sodium excretion in rats. Dose effect relations were also assessed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diuretic and antioxidant effects of Cacti‐Nea®, a dehydrated water extract from prickly pear fruit,in rats

Dehydrated extract of the prickly pear fruit Opuntia ficus indica, Cacti‐Nea^®, was evaluated for its chronic diuretic and antioxidant effects in Wistar rats. Cacti‐Nea^® was orally administered daily for seven days at the dose of 240 mg/kg/day. A positive group was orally treated with hydrochlorothiazide at the dose of 10 mg/kg/day and a control group with vehicle. Daily measurements of body weight, urine volume, and concentration of sodium, potassium and uric acid in urine were performed for each rat. At the end of the study, the blood globular level of glutathione peroxidase was determined. Cacti‐Nea^® significantly increased the urine volumes excreted by rats in comparison with the control group and it showed a trend to reduce significantly the body weight gain of rats. No significant differences were observed in the urine concentration of sodium, potassium and uric acid in comparison with the control group. The chronic diuretic effects of Cacti‐Nea^® were comparable with that of the standard drug hydrochlorothiazide. Chronic oral administration of Cacti‐Nea^® significantly increased the blood globular levels of glutathione peroxidase in comparison with control and hydrochlorothiazide groups. The prickly pear fruit extract Cacti‐Nea^® demonstrated chronic diuretic and antioxidant effects in Wistar rats with respect to the excretion of the metabolites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diuretic effect of the aqueous extract of Bidens odorata in the rat

The aerial part of Bidens odorata Cav., are used in Mexican Folk Medicine to treat renal diseases. The aim of this study is to measure the diuretic response to aqueous extract of this plant at doses of 41 and 166 mg/kg and to compare it with that induced by furosemide at 2 mg/kg. Aqueous extracts, furosemide or vehicle were administered orally to adult rats and the effects on sodium, potassium and water balance were assessed. Aqueous extracts at both doses and furosemide produced important and significant increments in urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and water in rats with respect to control group. This increase was dose dependent and aqueous extract at the highest dose induced a more marked sodium and water excretion than furosemide, potassium excretion increased but it was less than the one induced by furosemide. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of Bidens odorata induce diuretic response.