Acute hypotensive and diuretic activities of Artemisia herba alba aqueous extract in normal rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Artemisia herba alba (A. herba alba) intravenous injection on cardiovascular and renal function in normal rats. Methods: The effect of intravenous injection of A. herba alba extract at the different doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg was investigated in normal rats. Diuresis, heart frequency and electrolytes concentrations were analyzed. Results: Intravenous bolus injection of A. herba alba at the different doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg produced a dose dependent reduction in arterial blood pressure (P<0.001). A significant reduction in heart frequency was observed after A. herba alba injection at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (P<0.001). Perfusion of aqueous A. herba alba extract at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·h) caused a significant increase in urine output after 4 h of perfusion (P<0.001). In addition, a significant increase in urinary sodium and potassium excretion was observed from the first (P<0.05) to the fourth hour (P<0.001) of A. herba alba perfusion. Urinary chlorure excretion increased after 2 h of perfusion (P<0.001). However, glomerular filtration rate remained unchanged after A. herba alba perfusion (P<0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that the aqueous A. herba alba extract possesses a potent acute hypotensive effect on normal rats. In addition, A. herba alba perfusion may affect renal function to increase urine and electrolytes excretion.

Keywords

• Ethnopharmacology
• Mean arterial pressure
• Urine output
• Urine electrolytes