Withanolides from Whitania aristata and their diuretic activity

Aim of the study: Withania aristata is an endemic plant used traditionally in Canary Islands as a diuretic. In this paper, we report on this pharmacological activity in several extracts of the dry vegetal material collected and the identification and diuretic activity of two withanolides. one of them previously not reported, isolated from the most active fraction. Material and methods: Four Whitania aristata extracts at 100 mg/kg were orally administered to laboratory animals to evaluate their diuretic activity. From the most active fraction, two withanolides were isolated. Both and a mixture of them at 5 and 10 mg/kg were analyzed too as diuretics. Water excretion rate and content of Na+ and K+ electrolytes were measured in the urine of saline-loaded animals. Results: Whitania aristata water fraction, the two withanolides and the mixture of these compounds displayed high diuretic activity, with a significant excretion of sodium and potassium ions in laboratory animals. Conclusions: This research supports the ethno-medicinal use of Whitania aristata as diuretic. This activity seems to be associated to the presence of a new type of natural diuretic agents, such as withaferin A and witharistatin. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.