RENAL EFFECTS OF MUMIYO: ENHANCEMENT OF DIURESIS AND NATRIURESIS IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS

ISSN: 2582-4686 SJIF 2021-3.261,SJIF 20222.889, 2024-6.875 ResearchBib IF: 9.948 / 2024 VOLUME-5, ISSUE-11 86 RENAL EFFECTS OF MUMIYO: ENHANCEMENT OF DIURESIS AND NATRIURESIS IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS Rizakova Dilorom Pulatovna - Andijan State Medical Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology, and Medical Biotechnology. Abstract. Mumiyo (shilajit) is a natural herbo-mineral substance long used in traditional medicine for its restorative properties. This study investigated the effect of mumiyo on water and sodium excretion in rats. Adult male rats (180–220 g) were divided into control and experimental groups (n = 10 each). The experimental group received mumiyo orally at 50 mg/kg for seven days. Water and salt loading tests were performed, and urine was collected for 4 hours. Mumiyo treatment significantly increased urine volume and sodium excretion compared with controls (P < 0.05). After salt loading, the natriuretic response was particularly pronounced. These findings indicate that mumiyo enhances renal excretory function by promoting diuresis and natriuresis, supporting its traditional use in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance. Keywords: mumiyo; shilajit; diuresis; natriuresis; sodium excretion; water–salt balance; renal function; experimental rats. Introduction. Traditional medicine (TM) represents a comprehensive body of knowledge, skills, and practices grounded in the theories, beliefs, and experiences of diverse cultural traditions. It serves to maintain health and prevent, diagnose, alleviate, or treat a wide range of physical and mental disorders (1). Over the past decades, increasing scientific interest in traditional medicine has led to extensive research demonstrating that many natural bioactive compounds possess significant therapeutic potential in various pathological conditions (2). Among these natural remedies, mumiyo occupies a unique position due to its long-standing reputation as a powerful rejuvenating and adaptogenic substance. Mumiyo is a herbo-mineral exudate with a resinous appearance, found primarily in mountainous regions. It occurs naturally in India (3,5) and across several territories of the former USSR, including the Urals, Altai, Caucasus, Kazakhstan, the Sayan Mountains, the Baikal region, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Deposits have also been identified in other Asian countries such as China, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Tibet (6). Known by a multitude of regional names Shilajit, Silajita, Asphalt, Silajatu, Rock Juice, Conqueror of Mountains, Hajar-ul-Musa, Arak al-Jabal, Mumiyo, or Bragshun this natural substance ranges in color from light brown to dark brownish-black. Historical records suggest that mumiyo has been utilized for over 3,000 years as a revitalizing tonic, credited with enhancing physical strength, promoting longevity, and aiding recovery from various ailments (4). The origin of mumiyo remains a subject of scientific debate and is explained by three major hypotheses: geological, biological, and bio-mineralogical. The geological hypothesis proposes that mumiyo is formed through long-term geological transformations of organic matter within rock strata. The biological theory attributes its formation to the decomposition of plant residues and animal excreta under specific physicochemical and microbial conditions. The bio-mineralogical concept combines both perspectives, suggesting that mumiyo arises from an organic precursor that becomes mechanically mixed with mineral substances during its formation. ISSN: 2582-4686 SJIF 2021-3.261,SJIF 20222.889, 2024-6.875 ResearchBib IF: 9.948 / 2024 VOLUME-5, ISSUE-11 87 Importantly, the composition and pharmacological properties of mumiyo are influenced by a range of environmental and regional factors, including local vegetation, rock and soil mineral content, temperature, humidity, and altitude. These factors determine the complex mixture of organic molecules, trace minerals, and biologically active compounds that contribute to mumiyo’s diverse therapeutic actions (8,9). Despite its similar physical characteristics across different regions of the world, these factors affect the composition and proportion of its components. In general, mumiyo consists of organic compounds (60–80%), inorganic compounds (20–40%), and trace elements such as Fe, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Mo, and P (10). In the 10th century, Ahwazi, in his book Kamel al-Sanae, recommended mumiyo for the treatment of cold headaches, hemoptysis, asthma, and the removal of a dead fetus. Avicenna, the renowned Persian physician, in his famous work The Canon of Medicine, described mumiyo as a highly effective remedy for strengthening the brain, enhancing fertility, and treating a variety of ailments. In the 12th century, the Persian medical text Zakhire Khwarazmshahi by Jorjani recommended mumiyo for inflammation, ulcers, and urinary and prostate disorders (7). Mumiyo has been prescribed in various doses for a wide range of health conditions, including urological and reproductive disorders, jaundice, gallstones, gastrointestinal diseases, splenomegaly, epilepsy, hypersensitivity, nervous disorders, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, eczema, anemia, and diabetes (11). However, fungal contamination, particularly with mycotoxins, remains a significant limiting factor for its widespread use in modern medicine (12). Traditional medicine specialists claim that mumiyo is effective against conditions such as loss of libido, kidney stones, bone pain and fractures, osteoarthritis, spondylitis, edema, hemorrhoids, aging, rejuvenation, infections (as an antiseptic), obesity, anorexia, and weight loss (9). Owing to the antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and immunomodulatory properties of fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA), there is evidence suggesting that mumiyo may serve as a potential agent for cancer prevention (10). Moreover, various doses of mumiyo have shown reductions in blood glucose levels and favorable effects on lipid profiles in rats (13). Additionally, mumiyo extract has been found to enhance nucleic acid synthesis and increase mineral transport into muscle and bone tissues (6). Materials and Methods The experiment was carried out on adult laboratory rats (180–220 g) maintained under standard vivarium conditions with free access to food and water. Animals were divided into two groups: control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 10). Natural purified mumiyo (shilajit) was dissolved in distilled water to obtain a working solution at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. The animals in the experimental group received mumiyo orally (dose: 50 mg/kg) once daily for 7 days prior to testing. To evaluate the effect of mumiyo on water and sodium excretion, water and salt loading tests were performed. After fasting overnight, the animals received either a water load (5% of body weight, distilled water) or a salt load (0.9% NaCl solution, 5% of body weight) via oral gavage. Urine was collected for a 4-hour period after loading in individual metabolic cages. The volume of urine (diuresis) was measured gravimetrically. Sodium concentration in urine was determined by flame photometry, and total sodium excretion was expressed in μmol per collection period. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). Differences between groups were analyzed using Student’s t-test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. ISSN: 2582-4686 SJIF 2021-3.261,SJIF 20222.889, 2024-6.875 ResearchBib IF: 9.948 / 2024 VOLUME-5, ISSUE-11 88 Results The effects of mumiyo on water and sodium excretion after water and salt loading are summarized in Table 1. Administration of mumiyo for seven days led to a significant increase in both diuresis and urinary sodium excretion compared with the control group. Table 1. Effect of Mumiyo on Water and Sodium Excretion after Water and Salt Loads Experimental Conditions Normal Mumiyo P Water load diuresis (ml) 2.7 ± 0.21 3.8 ± 0.08 <0.001 Sodium excretion (μmol) 2.4 ± 0.05 3.2 ± 0.09 <0.001 Salt load diuresis (ml) 2.4 ± 0.21 3.1 ± 0.18 <0.01 Sodium excretion (μmol) 2.3 ± 0.11 13.8 ± 0.33 <0.001 Following water loading, urine volume in the mumiyo-treated group was 3.8 ± 0.08 mL, which was significantly higher than in the control group (2.7 ± 0.21 mL, P < 0.001). Sodium excretion under the same conditions also increased from 2.4 ± 0.05 μmol to 3.2 ± 0.09 μmol (P < 0.001). After salt loading, the effect of mumiyo was even more pronounced. Diuresis increased from 2.4 ± 0.21 mL in controls to 3.1 ± 0.18 mL (P < 0.01), while sodium excretion rose sharply from 2.3 ± 0.11 μmol to 13.8 ± 0.33 μmol (P < 0.001). These results indicate that mumiyo enhances both water and sodium excretion, demonstrating a clear diuretic and natriuretic effect. Discussion The present study demonstrates that administration of mumiyo significantly increases diuresis and sodium excretion in rats subjected to both water and salt loading. The observed enhancement of sodium elimination, particularly after salt loading, suggests that mumiyo facilitates renal excretory function and promotes the removal of excess sodium and water from the body. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that mumiyo possesses natriuretic and diuretic properties, possibly through modulation of renal tubular reabsorption or the regulation of hormonal systems involved in fluid and electrolyte balance, such as the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. The pronounced increase in sodium excretion after salt loading indicates that mumiyo enhances the body’s adaptive response to sodium overload, helping maintain osmotic homeostasis. This suggests potential therapeutic relevance of mumiyo in conditions associated with sodium and water retention, such as hypertension or edema. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact mechanisms underlying this effect, including possible influences on renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, or tubular ion transport. Conclusion The findings of this study demonstrate that administration of mumiyo (50 mg/kg for seven days) significantly enhances both diuresis and sodium excretion in rats after water and salt loading. The effect is particularly pronounced under salt-loading conditions, indicating a strong natriuretic response. These results suggest that mumiyo promotes the elimination of excess sodium and water, contributing to the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance. The data support the view that mumiyo possesses diuretic and natriuretic properties, which may be beneficial in physiological or pathological ISSN: 2582-4686 SJIF 2021-3.261,SJIF 20222.889, 2024-6.875 ResearchBib IF: 9.948 / 2024 VOLUME-5, ISSUE-11 89 conditions associated with sodium and water retention. Further studies are warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms and to explore the potential therapeutic applications of mumiyo in renal and cardiovascular regulation. References 1. Qi Z, Kelley E. The WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023: A perspective. Science. 2014;346:S5-S6. 2. “WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023”. World Health Organization Retrieved 2014-0420. 2013. 3. Ghosal S. 2006. Shilajit in Perspective. Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi India. 4. Olivieri MF, Marzari F, Kesel AJ, Bonalume L, Saettini F. Pharmacology and psychiatry at the origins of Greek medicine: The myth of Melampus and the madness of the Proetides. 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