title: Alibertia edulis (L.C. Rich.) A.C. Rich - A potent diuretic arising from Brazilian indigenous species.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although Alibertia edulis (L.C. Rich.) A.C. Rich decoction is used in Brazilian folk medicine due to its possible antihypertensive effect, this species has never been critically investigated as a hypotensive drug. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible hypotensive and antihypertensive effects of the oral administration of Alibertia edulis aqueous extract (AEAE) in normotensive and hypertensive rats, and evaluate its inter-relation with a possible diuretic activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Different doses of AEAE (20, 65 and 200mg/kg) were tested on the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of normotensive Wistar rats and after induction of renovascular hypertension (two-kidney, one-clip Goldblatt model). In addition, the diuretic effects of AEAE were compared with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in an acute and repeated-dose treatment for 7 days. Volume, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium contents, pH and density were estimated in urine samples collected after 8 or 24h. Plasma sodium, potassium, total protein, urea, creatinine, AST and ALT concentrations were measured in samples collected at the end of the experimental period (seventh day). Finally, the antioxidant activity of the AEAE was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging and ferric ions reducing power assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intraduodenal administration of the HCTZ and AEAE significantly reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, the MAP in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. Otherwise, the heart rate was not affected by any treatment. Acute and prolonged oral administration of AEAE (200mg/kg) and HCTZ caused a significant increase in volume and urinary concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride. Moreover, urinary calcium concentration was significantly increased after administration of AEAE (200mg/kg). Finally, AEAE was able to present important in vitro antioxidant properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained have shown that AEAE presents potent diuretic activity and significant hypotensive and antihypertensive effect. In addition, this study may confirm part of the pharmacological activity popularly attributed to this species and opens perspective for the future use in various renal and cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diana Figueiredo
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: de Santana Aquino
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cleide Adriane
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Signor Tirloni
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences Biological and Environmental, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sara Emília Lima
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Tolouei Menegati
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Biodiversity, Faculty of Chemistry, State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia Andrea
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lima Cardoso
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Biodiversity, Faculty of Chemistry, State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvia Cristina
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Heredia Vieira
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria do
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Carmo Vieira
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Simonet
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco Antonio
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Macías
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain. Electronic address: arquimedesgasparotto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Arquimedes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasparotto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001938:Brazil; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019666:Rubiaceae
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Alibertia edulis; Antihypertensive; Antioxidant; Diuretic; Hypotensive