title: Pharmacognostic research on Viola tricolor L. (Violaceae).
abstract: In this study we analyzed the chemical composition and we evaluated the diuretic activity of aerial parts of V. tricolor L.
  
  
  METHODS
  For saponins and mucilages we have performed gravimetric methods, whereas for carotenoids, spectrophotometric determinations and HPLC analysis were performed. We studied the diuretic activity of tincture, using furosemide as the reference drug in male Wistar-Bratislava rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We established the content in saponins (5.98%), mucilages (14.20%) and total carotenoids (18.46 mg/100 g). In fresh vegetal drug we have determined by HPLC 8 carotenoids: violaxanthin (352 microg/100 g), antheraxanthin (711 microg/100 g), lutein (1575 microg/100 g), zeaxanthin (1488 microg/100 g), alpha-cryptoxanthin (66 microg/100 g), beta-carotene 5,6-epoxide (133 microg/100 g), beta-carotene (1678 microg/100 g) and 9Z-beta-carotene (312 microg/100 g). We observed a moderate diuretic effect of tincture (diuretic index 1.103, saluretic index of Na+ 1.181, and saluretic index of K+ 1.365).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Violae tricoloris herba contains a high amount of saponins and mucilages and it can be recommended to complete the diuretic treatment.
authors.affiliation: I. Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy-Phytotherapy.
authors.forename: Anca
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toiu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muntean
authors.forename: Ilioara
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oniga
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Voştinaru
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tămaş
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004232:Diuretics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry; D032413:Viola / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D004232:Diuretics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D002338:Carotenoids