Diuretic and Natriuretic Effects of Hesperidin, a Flavanone Glycoside, in Female and Male Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Hesperidin (HSP) is a major flavanone glycoside in citrus fruits, including sweet oranges and lemons. It demonstrates numerous pharmacological activities, such as antihypertensive effects and cardiac and kidney tissue protection. However, its effect on modulating renal function has yet to be properly explored. Female and male Wistar spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used to test the effect of HSP on renal function. The rats were divided into different groups, treated orally, and placed in metabolic cages for urine collection for 8 h. HSP, at doses of 0.3–3 mg/kg, led to an increase in urine volume in both female and male SHR. This effect was associated with increased Na+ elimination (3 mg/kg) without causing any change in K+ excretion or pH and conductivity values. When given HSP in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) or amiloride (AMLR), urine volume and Na+ elimination were significantly increased compared to the group that received only HSP. In relation to K+ excretion, the depleting effect of HCTZ and the sparing of AMLR prevailed in both groups. Pre-treatment with a non-selective cholinergic receptor antagonist, atropine, partially prevented HSP-induced diuresis and natriuresis in male SHR, but this effect was not demonstrated with the non-selective inhibitor of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, indomethacin. This study shows the diuretic action of HSP in hypertensive rats, an activity probably associated with the cholinergic pathway. Although various biological actions have already been defined for HSP, this pioneering research reveals its potential as a diuretic medicine.

Protective Role of Rosmarinic Acid in Experimental Urolithiasis: Understanding Its Impact on Renal Parameters

“…For the diuresis assay, the animals were individually placed in individual metabolic cages, and the urine volume was collected over a 6-h period. The volume was calculated in relation to body weight and expressed as mL/100 g [ 21 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Electrolyte excretion (Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , and Cl − ), pH, conductivity, creatinine, urea, and glucose were measured in each urine sample at the end of the experiment.…”

Medicinal Plants: Advances in Phytochemistry and Ethnobotany

“…Souza et al (2023) showed the diuretic action of hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside from Citrus fruits, in hypertensive rats. The authors suggested that the activity is associated with the cholinergic pathway [14].…”