title: Evaluation of acute administration of natural products with potential diuretic effects, in humans.
abstract: In order to evaluate the potential diuretic effect of two natural products, Elephantopus scaber and Alpinia speciosa, a trial administration was carried out in ten healthy volunteers and the effects compared to the those of a placebo. The substances were given on different days, with a seven day interval between doses. The amount of substance administered to the subjects was five times the usual dose i.e. 7.5 g/100 ml and 0.8 g/100 ml respectively. The following parameters were measured: urinary and plasma sodium, potassium, uric acid, calcium, phosphate, urea, creatinine. The subjects were also examined clinically and total urinary volume was assessed. The only significant findings (p < 0.05) was a slight diuresis with Alpinia speciosa, which also lowered the diastolic (p < 0.05) and systolic (p < 0.01) blood pressures. No effect on electrolytes or renal function parameters was observed, and this probably excludes any renal tubular or glomerular effect from these substances.
authors.affiliation: Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Laranja
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bergamaschi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001938:Brazil; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009318:Natriuresis / Q000187:drug effects; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D004573:Electrolytes