title: Diuretic and antilithiasic activities of ethanolic extract from Piper amalago (Piperaceae).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Piper amalago is used in Brazilian folk medicine as diuretic and for the treatment of urinary calculus disease, although no scientific data have been described to support these effects. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the diuretic effects and antilithiatic activity of the ethanolic extract of P. amalago (EEPam).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ethanolic extracts of P. amalago (125, 250 and 500mg/kg) were orally administered in male Wistar rats (n=5) and urinary excretion was measured at intervals of up to 24h after administration. The antilithiasic effect of EEPam on calcium oxalate urolithiasis crystallization was examined in a turbidimetric model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The oral administration of all doses of EEPam significantly increased urine output after 24h when compared to control group. Moreover, the application of EEPam, induced an inhibitory effect on calcium oxalate crystallization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to results, P. amalago extracts showed diuretic and natriuretic activity and antilithiasic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio da Silva
authors.initials: Ada S
authors.lastname: Novaes
authors.affiliation: Department of Biodiversity Research, University of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: da Silva Mota
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná Federal University, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andersson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barison
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná Federal University, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Clebson Luiz
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Veber
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio Juliano
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Negrão
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Candida Aparecida Leite
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kassuya
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, MS, Brazil; General Hospital, Federal University of Grande Dourados, MS, Brazil. Electronic address: marciobarros@ufgd.edu.br.
authors.forename: Márcio Eduardo
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: de Barros
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004232:Diuretics / Q000032:analysis*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D031701:Piper / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Diuretic activity; Piper amalago; Piperaceae; Urolithiasic