Prolonged Diuretic Activity and Calcium‐Sparing Effect of Tropaeolum majus: Evidence in the Prevention of Osteoporosis

Abstract

Although several studies indicate high effectiveness in the use of the hydroethanolic extract from Tropaeolum majus (HETM) as a diuretic, the impact of its prolonged use in the presence of low estrogen levels remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the diuretic effects of prolonged administration of HETM in ovariectomized rats and their interrelationship between calcium excretion and bone turnover. Forty-two female Wistar rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated orally with different doses of HETM (3, 30, and 300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. On the first day of treatment and at weekly intervals for four weeks the diuretic activity was evaluated. Electrolyte concentrations and creatinine levels were estimated from urine sample of each rat. The serum lipids, urea, creatinine, and osteocalcin were also measured at the end of the experiment. The data revealed that the HETM was able to sustain its diuretic effect after prolonged treatment. Moreover, its use has not affected the urinary calcium or potassium excretion, reduces lipid levels, and maintains osteocalcin levels similarly to untreated rats. These findings support the potential of HETM as a candidate to be used in clinical conditions in which the renal loss of calcium is not desired.

Evaluation of Plinia cauliflora effect in the prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

“…Since the main role of OC is bone mineralization, the body's calcium levels can profoundly alter its production and homeostasis. Calcium metabolism is very important during postmenopausal osteoporosis, the close relationship between reduced estrogen levels and bone loss may be directly related to this ion [11].…”

“…Osteocalcin, is a protein that plays an important role in bone mineralization, originates from osteoblastic synthesis and is deposited in the bone or released into the circulation, where it correlates with histological measures of bone formation [10]. In addition, osteocalcin can activate monocyte differentiation, resulting in an increase in the number of active bone resorption cells and promoting osteoclastic differentiation [11].…”

Promising Medicinal Plants with Diuretic Potential Used in Brazil: State of the Art, Challenges, and Prospects

“…The authors also demonstrated that the ethanolic extract increased diuresis similarly to spironolactone, a conventional K + -sparing diuretic, an effect that they associated with decreased plasmatic aldosterone levels [20]. Extending the studies on this plant, Barboza et al [21] evaluated the effect of hydroethanolic extract of T. majus leaves at doses of 3, 30, and 300 mg/kg in ovariectomized rats over a 4-wk period to determine whether long-term treatment with the extract would impact on the presence of low levels of estrogen. The results of that study demonstrated that T. majus extract was able to sustain its diuretic effect after 4 wk of treatment and did not affect the urinary excretion of Ca 2+ and K + , confirming the potential of the extract as a candidate for use in clinical conditions such as osteoporosis, in which renal loss of Ca 2+ is not desired.…”

LEVANTAMENTO DE INFORMAÇÕES ETNOBOTÂNICAS, ETNOFARMACOLÓGICAS E FARMACOLÓGICAS REGISTRADAS NA LITERATURA SOBRE Tropaeolum majus L. (CHAGUINHA)

“…Estudos farmacológicos demonstraram atividades anti-hipertensiva (GASPAROTTO JUNIOR et al, 2011), anti-inflamatória (LOURENÇO et al, 2011), diurética (GAS-PAROTTO JUNIOR et al, 2009), na prevenção da perda de massa óssea, devido a preservação de osteocalcina e cálcio (BARBOZA et al, 2014), no tratamento de asma, constipação (LORENZI; MATOS, 2002;BOORHEM et al, 1999;PANIZZA, 1998), também utilizada como antibacteriana e antifúngica (ZANETTI et al, 2003;PANIZZA, 1998;LO-ZENZI;MATOS, 2002).…”