Diuretic Effect Evaluation of Petroselinum Crispum (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.