Diurеtski i аntiоksidаntni pоtеnciјаl еkstrаkаtа Maydis stigma, Petroselinum crispum i Uvae ursi folium / Diuretic and antioxidant potential of Maydis stigma, Petroselinum crispum and Uvae ursi folium extracts

INTRODUCTION: Herbal medicines, one of the nature’s gift to mankind, are used for many therapeutic and prophylactic indications, among others as diuretics. Also, medicinal plants are famous for it s antioxidant properties. Herbal diuretics with the longest tradition in folks medicine and modern phytotherapy in Europe, Asia and America are, among others, corns silk, parsley and bearberry leaf. Investigation of corn silk, parsley and bearberry leaf extracts effects on diuresis and antioxidant status may point toward new therapeutic approach of different chronic medicinal conditions. AIMS OF RESEARCH: 1. To determine the effect of corn silk (Maydis stigma), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and bearberry leaf (Uvae ursi folium) extracts on diuresis, electrolyte composition and specific weight of urine of pretreated experimental animals (mice). 2. To determine the effect of Maydis stigma, Petroselinum crispum and Uvae ursi folium extracts on antioxidant capacity on mice blood and organs. 3. To determine the effect of Maydis stigma, Petroselinum crispum and Uvae ursi folium extracts on histopathological features of the kidney of pretreated experimental animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on experimental animals (Mus musculus varijetet albino NMRI), which were selected randomly from the litter of Pasteur Institute in Novi Sad. Research was conducted in accordance to the principles established for research in animal models. Herbal material which was used in this study was of controlled origin available in retail. 5% aqueas extracts were made by adequate chemical process. Experimental animals were divided into four groups. During the experiment first group of ten animals drank corn silk extract, second group parsley extract, third group bearberry leaf extract Fourth group was control group in which animals drank water. Urine of all groups was collected on 0,1,7,14,28 th day of experiment, and on the same dates urine volume was measured. Also electrolyte content and specific weight of urine were measured. Antioxidant status of investigated organs (kidney, liver, brain and testicles) and blood was investigated in all four groups of animals using different contemporary methods for enzymic and non enzymic determination. Furthermore quantities of hydroxyl and DPPH radicals, malonildialdehyde quantity and total antioxidant power were determined. Hystopahologica ex and hematoxyllin). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Obtained results showed that all three medicinal plants differently influenced physiological function of kidney and other organs, as well their antioxidant capacity and histophatological features. The best diuretic effect which was maintained for the longest time, was observed under influence of parsley extract. Furthermore, parsley extract showed the best results concerning electrolyte excretion. Most pronounced reduction in BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine was observed by the action of corn silk extract, and then parsley extract. Overall, the best antioxidant capacity was observed in kidneys by the action of all examined medicinal plants, which indicated theirs high antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant capacity was lower in other examined organs. Bearberry leaf and parsley extracts expressed the best influence on the most parameters of oxidative stress. Histopathological examination pointed that kidney parenchima was significantly influenced by the action of bearberry extract. Other extracts did not change kidney tissue. CONCLUSION: The best diuretic, kaliuric and natriuric effect was observed under the influence of parsley extract, and corn silk extracts. Corn silk extract expressed the most pronounced reduction in BUN and creatinine. Further more, the strongest antioxidant effects were observed by the action of corn silk and bearberry leaf extracts. While bearberry leaf extract showed strong antioxidant capacity, at the same time it had negative effects on BUN and creatinine reduction, and it caused kidney parenchimal changes. On the basis of the overall presented results (diuretic, natriuretic, kaliuretic, antioxidant, histopathological investigations), corn silk extract can be proposed for further investigations as a new therapeutic approach in prevention and treatment of kidney diseases