Diuretic activity of Smilax canariensis, an endemic Canary Island species
2008
Abdala, S. | Martín-Herrera, D. | Benjumea, D. | Pérez-Paz, P.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Smilax canariensis is an endemic species of the Canary Islands, popularly known as “Zarzaparrilla sin espinas”. This species has wide use in folk-medicine practice on the islands, especially as diuretic. So the aim of our study is to evaluate the diuretic activity of an aqueous and a methanol extract of this species. Material and methods: Three infusions doses (250, 500 and 750mg/kg) and two methanol extract doses (100 and 200mg/kg) were orally administered to laboratory rats. Water excretion rate, pH, density, conductivity, and content of Na⁺ and K⁺ were measured in the urine of saline-loaded rats. Results: Water excretion rates were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner by both hot water infusions and the alcohol extract. The electrolytic excretion was also dose-dependent, although potassium excretion was markedly reduced when using the alcohol extract compared with that observed for the infusion. Conclusions: Smilax canariensis presents a notable diuretic effect which appeared to be related both to its potassium content and to the presence of polar organic compounds. The present results provide a quantitative basis explaining the traditional folk-medicine use of Smilax canariensis as a diuretic agent by the Canary Island population.
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