Acute Hypotensive and Diuretic Activities of Chamaemelum nobile Aqueous Extract in Normal Rats

This study aims to evaluate the effect of Chamaemelum nobile (Cn) intravenous injection on cardiovascular and renal function of normal rats. Intravenous bolus injection of Cn at the dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg^-1, produced dose dependent reduction in arterial blood pressure (p<0.001). Significant reduction in heart frequency was observed after Cn injection at a dose of 100 and 200 mg kg^-1 (p<0.001). Perfusion of Cn aqueous extract at a dose of 200 mg kg^-1 h^-1 caused a significant increase in urine output after three hours of perfusion (p<0.001). Significant increase in urinary sodium and potassium excretion was observed from the first (p<0.05) to the third hour (p<0.001) of Cn perfusion. Urinary chlorure excretion increased after two hours of perfusion (p<0.001). However, glomerualr filtration rate remained unchanged after Cn perfusion (p<0.05). We conclude that the Cn aqueous extract possess potent acute hypotensive effect in normal rats. In addition Cn perfusion may affect renal function to increase urine and electrolytes excretion.