Evaluation of acute administration of natural products with potential diuretic effects, in humans

• Main Authors: Sandra M. R. Laranja, Cassia M. Bergamaschi, Nestor Schor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 1991-01-01
• Series: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
• Subjects: Natural products; diuretics; Elephantopus scaber; Alpinia speciosa
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02761991000600053

In order to evaluate the potential diuretic effect of two natural products, Elephantopus scaber and Alpinia speciosa, a trial administration was carried out in ten healthy volunteers and the effects compared to the those of a placebo. The substances were given on different days, with a seven day interval between doses. The amount of substance administered to the subjects was five times the usual dose i.e. 7.5 g/100 ml and 0.8 g/100 ml respectively. The following parameters parameteres were measured: urinary and plasma sodium, potassium, uric acid, calcium, phosphate, urea, creatinine. The subjects were also examined clinically and total urinary volume was assessed. The only significant finding (p < 0.05) was a slight diuresis with Alpinia speciosa, which also lowered the diastolic (p < 0.05) and systolic (p < 0.01) blood pressures. No effect on electrolytes or renal function parameters was observed, and this probably excludes any renal tubular or glomerular effect from these substances.