EFFECTS OF EXTRACT FROM CLERODENDRON TRICHOTOMUM ON BLOOD-PRESSURE AND RENAL-FUNCTION IS RATS AND DOGS

Clerodendron trichotomum Thunb. is a herb which has been used for trea tment of hypertension in Chinese medicine. To assess the action of the herb on blood pressure and renal function, the extract was administer ed to rats and dogs. Intravenous administration of the extract elicite d renal vasodilation and increased urine flow and urinary sodium excre tion. Acute oral administration of the extract reduced blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats but not of normotensive control rat s. Chronic daily administration for 6 weeks prevented the increase in blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats. These results may g ive some support to the claim on the clinical efficacy of the extract of Clerodendron trichotomum Thunb.