Diuretic Effect Evaluation of Petroselinum Crispum (Parsley) in Hypertensive Patients

Overview

The use of alternative therapy, particularly herbal treatment is becoming prevalent among patients. Many herbs are in-use for various ailments such as diabetes, digestive problems, fever, hepatitis and hypertension etc. The common belief is, herbs are safe and easy to access as compared to conventional therapy, however, most of the studies reported different side effects which may be toxic at times. These adverse effects are mostly due to incorrect use or lack of patient education. Parsley is a plant with antioxidant, diuretic and antimicrobial properties. Literature reported use of parsley as a diuretic by different communities in throughout the world. In vitro studies in animal have also reported the diuretic effect as well as proposed mechanisms for the use of parsley as diuretic however none of the studies have been conducted to investigate the diuretic effect of parsley in humans. This study aims to evaluate the diuretic and hence antihypertensive effect of parsley in hypertensive patients.

Parsley botanically known as Petroselinum crispum, belongs to the family Umbeliferae, originated from Mediterranean region however, it is cultivated almost throughout the world now-a-days. The plant has reported folkloric uses in different parts of the world; in Iran the seeds of the plant is used for different pharmacological effects including antimicrobial, kidney stones, digestive disorders etc., in Turkey the leaves of this plant is used to treat hypertension, diabetes and as a diuretic in Morocco the leaves are used for arterial hypertension, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiac diseases in Spain the leaves of this plant are used to treat hypertension, diabetes, prostititis and anemia whereas in Serbia the leaves of the plant are used to treat urinary tract diseases and infections. Though the aforementioned literature supports the diuretic and anti-hypertensive potential of parsley however no in-vivo studies have been reported to establish its diuretic activity in human subjects. Some studies have reported diuretic activity for seed aqueous extract in rats. Still, to evaluate the effect in human subjects, an in-vivo phase-I clinical study is needed to support the pre-clinical in-vivo and in-vitro diuretic effects of this plant. Our study aims to investigate the diuretic and anti-hypertensive activity of parsley in hypertensive individuals currently using conventional medication.