COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE DIURETIC AND NATRIURETIC EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUMIYO IN RATS AFTER SALT LOADING

ISSN: 2582-4686 SJIF 2021-3.261,SJIF 20222.889, 2024-6.875 ResearchBib IF: 9.948 / 2024 VOLUME-5, ISSUE-12 236 COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE DIURETIC AND NATRIURETIC EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUMIYO IN RATS AFTER SALT LOADING Jo‘rayev Boburbek Mukumjon o‘g‘li Institute of Immunology and Human Genomics, Andijan Branch ABSTRACT Mumiyo, a traditional herbo-mineral preparation widely used in various traditional medical systems, has long been attributed numerous therapeutic properties, including effects on renal function and electrolyte balance. Despite extensive historical and ethnomedical usage, systematic evaluations of its physiological actions remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the diuretic and natriuretic effects of several geographically distinct types of mumiyo in rats subjected to an acute salt load. Wistar rats were administered mumiyo preparations intragastrically (50 mg/kg, 1% solution) followed by a standardized sodium chloride load (0.45% NaCl, 3% of body weight). Urine volume and sodium excretion were measured one hour post-administration. While none of the tested mumiyo varieties significantly increased diuresis compared with controls, all demonstrated notable effects on sodium excretion. Alai, Indian, and Altai mumiyo produced statistically significant elevations in natriuresis, with the Alai and Indian samples eliciting the strongest responses. The consistent natriuretic response observed in Central Asian varieties may serve as a useful criterion for mumiyo identification and quality assessment. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical implications of these effects. Keywords : Mumiyo, traditional medicine, diuresis, natriuresis, renal function, electrolyte balance, pharmacological evaluation, Wistar rats. INTRODUCTION According to the World Health Organization (WHO), traditional medicine (TM) encompasses a broad spectrum of health practices that utilize plant-, mineral-, and animal-derived remedies, either independently or in combination, to treat and prevent disease and promote overall well-being (1). Globally, TM remains a primary healthcare resource, with an estimated 80% of the world’s population relying on these practices to address their medical needs (2). Among the many natural preparations used in TM, mumiyo—also known widely as shilajit—is a prominent herbo-mineral exudate with a long and well-documented history of therapeutic application. It is found predominantly in mountainous regions, including areas of India (3, 5), Russia and several former Soviet territories (such as the Urals, Altai, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, the Sayan Mountains, Lake Baikal, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan), as well as China, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Tibet (6). Across cultures, mumiyo is known by numerous traditional names: Shilajit, Silajita, Marathi or Gujarati (Hindi), Asphalt (English), Silajatu (Bengali), Rock Juice (Tibetan), Conqueror of Mountains (Sanskrit), Hajar-ul-Musa or Arak al-Jabal (Arabic), Mumiyo or Mumnaei (Persian), μούμια (Greek), Muemu (Russian), Mumijo (German), and various regional descriptors including Mineral Resin Bitumen, Jewish Bitumen, Mineral Wax, and Bragshun. Despite the diversity of names, the substance is consistently described as a pale brown to blackish-brown organic-mineral complex ISSN: 2582-4686 SJIF 2021-3.261,SJIF 20222.889, 2024-6.875 ResearchBib IF: 9.948 / 2024 VOLUME-5, ISSUE-12 237 valued for its rejuvenating and adaptogenic effects, with a documented use spanning more than 3,000 years (4). The formation of mumiyo has been explained through three major hypotheses: biological, geological, and bio-mineralogical. The geological theory posits that mumiyo arises from prolonged natural transformations within rock formations. The biological perspective proposes that it originates from decomposed plant materials or animal excretions under specific physicochemical conditions. A third, bio-mineralogical viewpoint suggests that mumiyo results from the interaction between its liquid organic precursor and various mineral contaminants during its accumulation. Numerous environmental and geographical factors—including local flora, rock and soil composition, climate, temperature, humidity, and altitude—contribute to regional variations in its chemical profile and therapeutic potential (8, 9). Although mumiyo exhibits similar physical characteristics worldwide, its composition varies significantly across regions. Typically, it contains 60–80% organic compounds, 20–40% inorganic components, and trace minerals such as Fe, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Mo, and P (10). Historically, mumiyo has held a notable place in medical literature. In the 10th century, Ahwazi described it in Kamel as-Sanae as a treatment for cold headaches, hemoptysis, asthma, and intrauterine fetal demise. Avicenna, the eminent Persian physician, endorsed mumiyo in The Canon of Medicine as a potent remedy for enhancing cognitive function, improving fertility, and managing various ailments. By the 12th century, Jorjani’s influential Persian text Zakhire Khwarazmshahi recommended mumiyo for inflammatory diseases, ulcers, urinary disorders, and prostate conditions (7). Across centuries, mumiyo has been used in diverse dosages to manage a broad spectrum of disorders, including genitourinary diseases, jaundice, gallstones, gastrointestinal dysfunctions, splenomegaly, epilepsy, hypersensitivity, neurological disorders, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, eczema, anemia, and diabetes (11). Nevertheless, its clinical application is complicated by concerns regarding fungal contamination—particularly with mycotoxins—which pose safety challenges and limit its acceptance in modern therapeutic practice (12). Traditional healers continue to attribute numerous benefits to mumiyo, citing its usefulness in enhancing libido, treating kidney stones, accelerating bone healing, alleviating osteoarthritis and spondylitis, reducing edema and hemorrhoids, and supporting anti-aging, antiseptic, and weightregulating effects (9). Modern research has identified bioactive constituents such as fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA), which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and immunomodulatory properties, suggesting a potential role for mumiyo in cancer prevention (10). Experimental studies further indicate that mumiyo may decrease blood glucose levels, improve lipid profiles in animal models (13), stimulate nucleic acid synthesis, and enhance mineral transport into bone and muscle tissue (6). Research Objective. In light of the numerous studies and claims regarding the therapeutic properties of mumiyo in Traditional Medicine (TM), Ayurveda, and Siddha medical systems, as well as the lack of comprehensive evaluations on this topic, the present study aims to conduct a preliminary assessment of the effects of mumiyo—a traditional preparation well known in ancient medicine of both the East and the West—on diuretic and natriuretic activity in rats. Research Methods. Experimental studies were conducted on Wistar rats older than 3 months and weighing between 250 and 300 g. The animals were kept in a temperature-controlled environment and had free access to standard rat chow and water. In this series of experiments, we aimed to examine ISSN: 2582-4686 SJIF 2021-3.261,SJIF 20222.889, 2024-6.875 ResearchBib IF: 9.948 / 2024 VOLUME-5, ISSUE-12 238 the effects of different types of mumiyo on water and sodium excretion in rats after a salt load. The experiments were carried out as follows. Rats of equal body weight, maintained under a constant water–salt regimen, were administered mumiyo preparations intragastrically via a stomach probe at a dose of 50 mg/kg in the form of a 1% solution. After 30 minutes, all animals received an intragastric administration of a 0.45% sodium chloride solution in an amount equal to 3% of their body weight (salt load) and were then placed in individual metabolic cages designed for urine collection. Each experimental series included 5 rats. After one hour, the volume of collected urine was measured, and the sodium content was determined. In these experiments, the Alai, Altai and Indian types of mumiyo were studied. The data obtained are presented in the table. Results The effects of different types of mumiyo on diuresis and natriuresis in rats after a salt load are summarized in Table 1. Administration of the Alai, Altai, and Indian varieties of mumiyo did not produce statistically significant changes in urine output compared with the control group, with diuresis values remaining within the same physiological range (2.3–3.0 mL/hour). In contrast, sodium excretion was markedly affected by all three preparations. Alai mumiyo caused the greatest increase in natriuresis (25.2 ± 0.79 µmol/hour), followed by Indian (22.1 ± 0.75 µmol/hour) and Altai (6.4 ± 0.22 µmol/hour), with all increases reaching statistical significance relative to control values (2.9 ± 0.13 µmol/hour). Table 1. Effect of different types of mumiyo on water and sodium excretion in rats after a salt load. Tested preparation Diuresis, mL/hour Natriuresis, µmol/hour Control 2,5± 0,27 2,9±0,13 Alai mumiyo 2.3 ±0,12 25,2±0,79* Altai mumiyo 2,6 ± 0,11 6,4 ±0,22* Indian mumiyo 3,0 ± 0,25 22,1 ± 0,75* *- Statistically significant difference compared with the control. Discussion The experimental results demonstrate that the diuretic activity of the tested types of mumiyo is minimal. None of the preparations produced a significant increase in urine output compared with the control group, indicating that mumiyo does not substantially influence total water excretion under conditions of acute salt loading. These findings suggest that the primary physiological effect of mumiyo is not related to stimulation of renal fluid elimination. In contrast, all examined types of mumiyo exhibited a pronounced influence on sodium excretion. The Alai and Indian preparations produced the strongest natriuretic responses, increasing sodium elimination nearly 8–9 times relative to control values. Altai mumiyo showed a more moderate but still significant natriuretic effect. These results indicate that certain varieties of mumiyo possess a selective natriuretic action, enhancing sodium excretion without markedly altering urine volume. Importantly, earlier data indicated that Hamzaabad mumiyo, which showed slight diuretic activity, did not produce a significant increase in natriuresis. Taken together, the findings highlight a clear functional distinction between different geographical sources of mumiyo. The strong natriuretic effects observed specifically in Central Asian varieties suggest unique compositional ISSN: 2582-4686 SJIF 2021-3.261,SJIF 20222.889, 2024-6.875 ResearchBib IF: 9.948 / 2024 VOLUME-5, ISSUE-12 239 characteristics—possibly mineral, organic, or humic–fulvic components—that enhance sodium transport or excretion mechanisms. Given that sodium excretion is a sensitive physiological marker, the ability of Central Asian types of mumiyo to consistently increase natriuresis supports the potential use of this response as a diagnostic or identification criterion for authentic preparations. Conclusion The study demonstrates that various types of mumiyo differ significantly in their effects on renal function in rats following a salt load. While diuretic activity remained largely unchanged across all tested preparations, pronounced natriuretic responses were observed with Alai, Indian, and Altai mumiyo. These findings suggest that the selective enhancement of sodium excretion is a characteristic feature of certain regional varieties of mumiyo, particularly those originating from Central Asia. The strong and reproducible natriuretic effect of these types supports the use of sodium excretion as a practical and informative test for the identification and quality assessment of mumiyo. 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