Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2546593 | Journal of Ethnopharmacology | 2008 | 5 Pages |
Ethnopharmacological relevanceSmilax 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 methodsThree infusions doses (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg) and two methanol extract doses (100 and 200 mg/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.ResultsWater 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.ConclusionsSmilax 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.