Pharmacognostic Study, Diuretic Activity and Acute Oral Toxicity of the Leaves of Xiphidium caeruleum Aubl. Collected in Two Different Phenological Stages.

Xiphidium caeruleum Aubl. is traditionally used in Cuba as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antilithiatic and diuretic remedy. Here we studied the pharmacognostic parameters of the leaves of X. caeruleum, the preliminary phytochemical composition, diuretic activity and acute oral toxicity of the aqueous extracts from the leaves of plants collected in the vegetative (VE) and flowering (FE) stages. The morphological characteristics and physicochemical parameters of leaves and extracts were determined. The phytochemical composition was assessed by phytochemical screening, TLC, UV, IR and HPLC/DAD profiles. The diuretic activity was evaluated in Wistar rats and compared to furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone. Epidermal cells, stomata and crystals were observed on the leaf surface. Phenolic compounds were identified as the main metabolites, including phenolic acids (gallic, caffeic, ferulic and cinnamic acids) and flavonoids (catechin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and quercetin). VE and FE showed diuretic activity. The activity of VE was similar to furosemide, and the activity of FE resembled spironolactone. No acute oral toxicity was observed. The presence of flavonoids and phenols in VE and FE may explain at least in part the traditional use and provide some insight into the reported ethnomedical use as a diuretic. Because of the differences in polyphenol profiles between VE and FE, further studies should be carried out to standardize the harvesting and extraction conditions in order to use X. caeruleum leaf extract as herbal medicine.

Phytochemical characterisation and in vivo antilithiatic activity of the stems of Caesalpinia bahamensis (Brasilete).

The aim of this work was to identify the main chemical constituents and to evaluate the antilithiatic activity of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of stems of Caesalpinia bahamensis Lam. Fractionation and isolation of constituents from the hydroalcoholic extract was carried out by flash chromatography and semi-preparative liquid chromatography. The antilithiatic activity of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts was evaluated in Wistar rats, where kidney stones were induced by ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride. Creatinine, calcium, and oxalate levels were evaluated and histological analysis was carried out. The homoisoflavonoids protosappanin B, 10-methyl-protosappanin B and brazilin were isolated and the antilithiatic activity of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts was demonstrated by the reduction of the concentration of calcium and oxalate in urine compared to the lithiasis group. It was corroborated by histological analysis. Brazilin and protosappanin B were proposed as chemical markers for this plant species.