CHARACTERISTICS

O. stamineus is rich in diterpenes such as orthosiphol and in phenolic compounds (e.g. sinensetin, eupatorin, rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid).

PROPERTIES

• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties:

Due to the orthosiphols and flavones it contains, O. stamineus has anti-inflammatory activity by 5-lipoxygenase inhibition. Eupatorin, sinensetin and ursolic acid are the main agents responsible for these anti-inflammatory effects.

• Beneficial effects on kidney function:

O. stamineus has many beneficial effects on kidney function. For example, it reduces uraemia and creatininaemia, and increases glomerular filtration rate (ADAM & al, 2009).

It has a diuretic effect on rats comparable to that obtained with furosemide (ENGLERT & al, 1992 ; SCHUT & al, 1993) and exhibits a dose-dependent diuretic activity (ADAM & al, 2009). Sodium and potassium excretion increases in the first eight hours of treating rats with a single dose of 2 g/kg of O. stamineus in a pattern similar to that of hydrochlorothiazide. Repeated doses of 0.5 mg/kg administered over a period of seven days cause an increase in urine volume from day 3 to day 7 and in electrolyte excretion (Na⁺ and K⁺ ions) from day 2 to day 7. Generally, reduced uric acid levels in serum are observed after six hours of treatment (ARAFAT & al, 2008).

O. stamineus also has renoprotective effects. For example, in rats given potassium oxonate, O. stamineus counteracts hyperuricaemia and reduces renal tissue damage (WH & al, 2020). To ensure these protective effects, ethanolic extract is more effective than aqueous extract, as it has a much higher content of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid and orthosiphol (SACHAR & al, 2018).

• Antihypertensive effect:

As a vasorelaxant, O. stamineus also has antihypertensive properties. It involves the calcium and potassium channels, but also the muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors. This has been observed in rats fitted with an aortic ring to induce hypertension. This effect is modulated by sinensetin (YAM & al, 2018).

Another molecule derived from sinensetin, tetramethoxyflavone (TMF), causes vasorelaxation in the aortic arch of rats whose endothelium has been sensitised to phenylephrine. This effect is also obtained by acting on the calcium and potassium channels, and on the muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors (TAM & al, 2018).

• Hepatoprotective effect:

Due to its antioxidant abilities, O. stamineus has a hepatoprotective effect, counterbalancing the increased serum levels of the liver enzymes ALT and AST. It also protects against the harmful effects of paracetamol on the liver by raising glutathione levels (ASHRAF & al, 2018).

• Anti-infectious activity:

The antimicrobial activity of O. stamineus extract has been demonstrated in several studies. This enables it to combat infection by Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus (ASHRAK & al, 2018). A dose of 750 mg/kg protects the kidneys and bladder against E. coli infection in mice, reducing bacterial concentration in a similar way to norofloxacin. Interestingly, pre-treatment with O. stamineus for four to seven days reduces bacterial bladder colonisation due to its antiadhesive activity (SASHAR & al, 2017).