Acute diuretic, natriuretic and hypotensive effects of a continuous perfusion of aqueous extract of Urtica dioica in the rat.
This study was performed on anaesthetized male Wistar rats that received a continuous intravenous perfusion during 1.25 h of an aqueous extract of aerial parts of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) at a low dose of 4 mg/kg/h or at a high dose of 24 mg/kg/h, or furosemide (control diuretic) at a dose of 2 mg/kg/h. As compared with a control period in each rat, the arterial blood pressure was reduced proportionally to the dose of the perfusion of the plant extract (15 and 38%, P<0.001, respectively). These effects were accompanied by a correlative increase of diuresis (11 and 84%, P<0. 001, respectively) and natriuresis (28 and 143%, P<0.001, respectively). In the rats perfused by furosemide, the arterial blood pressure was reduced by 28% (P<0.001). The diuresis and natriuresis were also increased proportionally in this case (85 and 155%, P<0.001, respectively). Nevertheless, the hypotensive action of U. dioica was reversible during the recovery periods in about 1 h with the lower dose of the plant extract and furosemide, while the effect of the higher dose was persistent, indicating a possible toxic effect. In conclusion, the results demonstrate an acute hypotensive action of U. dioica that indicates a direct effect on the cardiovascular system. Moreover, diuretic and natriuretic effects were also observed, suggesting an action on the renal function. Finally, the plant extract seems to have a toxic effect at the higher dose.
Tahri
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A
Laboratoire de Physiologie et Pharmacologie Cellulaire, Faculté des Sciences, Université Mohammed Premier, B.P. 524, 60000, Oujda, Morocco. atahri@sciences.univ-oujda.ac.ma
Yamani
S
S
Legssyer
A
A
Aziz
M
M
Mekhfi
H
H
Bnouham
M
M
Ziyyat
A
A
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004231:Diuresis / Q000187:drug effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005665:Furosemide / Q000494:pharmacology; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D009318:Natriuresis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005665:Furosemide