Augmentation of renal response by magnesium lithospermate B.

Magnesium lithospermate B and adenine were given simultaneously to rats p.o. in order to investigate their renal effects. In rats given magnesium lithospermate B at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day for 12 or 24 days, glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and renal blood flow were increased significantly. A significant increase in renal function parameters was also found in rats given 10 mg of magnesium lithospermate B. Urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 was increased by administration of magnesium lithospermate B, while those of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 were unaffected at a dose of 5 mg or 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 12 or 24 days. The activity of kallikrein in urine increased markedly and significantly in rats given 5 or 10 mg of magnesium lithospermate B for 12 or 24 days. From these results, it seems that magnesium lithospermate B increases renal function by improving the renal circulatory state through activation of kallikrein and promotion of prostaglandin E2 production.