A preliminary investigation on the effects of Polpala (<i>Aerva lanata</i>) on the structure and function of urinary tract of rats

Abstract

Ab s trac t Polpala (Aeroa lanata) is a medicinal plant that is extensively used fo r the treatment of renal disease in Ayurvedic medicine. This preliminary investigation was carried out to evaluate the diuretic effect of the crude aqueous plant extract and high and low molecular mass fractions of this herb, using the hydrated rat assay technique. Possible toxicological effects on renal structure and function , mediated by long term administration of aqueous plant extract was also studied using two concentrations of both fresh and dried plant material , made according to A yurvedic system of medicine in Sri Lanka. Urine output, osmolality and electrolyte excretion were measured to evaluate diuretic activity. Creatinine clearance and histopathological studies were done to evaluate toxicological effects on renal structure and function. Crude aqueous plant extract showed a diuretic activity with marked increase in urine output, urine osmolality and urinary potassium excretion. Low molecular mass fraction of dried plant material showed a Significant diuretic effect while the high molecular fraction did not have the same effect. Investigations also showed that long term administration of the aqueous extract of this plant had no toxicological effects on renal structure and function of rats.

Aerva lanata(Polpala): Its effects on the structure and function of the urinary tract

“…This result is similar to the results of the preliminary study conducted by Herath et al . [9] In the present study, however, we used dried infusion of Aerva lanata in contrast to the preliminary study, where an aqueous extract of Aerva lanata was used. Ccr could be reduced with an increase in serum creatinine concentration or with a reduction in the UFR.…”

“…The dried form also produced more diuretic activity than the fresh form in the preliminary investigation carried out by Herath et al . [9] To obtain dried Aerva lanata , the herb was dried by keeping in an oven at 60°C for a period of 6-7 h or more, until a constant weight (no further change in weight) was obtained (wet/ dry weight ratio was 6:1). Aerva lanata drink (infusion) was prepared using dried herb in 200 ml of hot water.…”

“…[10] Of the two different dosages used (50g/200ml and 100g/200ml) in the preliminary study by Herath et al .,[9] a greater effect was noted with 100g/200ml concentration. Therefore, 100g/200ml of polpala was used as the high dose in this detailed study with 25g/200ml as the low dose.…”

“…The study used concentrations of 50g/200ml and 100g/200ml of fresh and dried Aerva lanata (n=6 per group). [9] Effect of long-term administration of Aerva lanata on renal function and structure was also studied using a rat animal model with a limited sample size of 3 rats per group. Findings showed there was no statistically significant reduction in renal function as measured by creatinine clearance after administering two doses of dried and fresh Aerva lanata daily for a period of one month.…”

Nutraceutical potential of Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult ameliorates secondary complications in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

“…6 Aerva lanata is one of the key ingredients of Nisakathakadi kashayam, an ayurvedic formulation traditionally prescribed for diabetes. [7][8][9][10] In addition, the whole plant or its parts is used as a vegetable, 11,12 in porridge 11,13 and for the preparation of Polpala tea 14 in the Asian and African subcontinent. A number of terpenoids, 15 sterols, 15,16 alkaloids 17,18 and avonoids 19 have been previously isolated from Aerva lanata.…”