Renal and antihypertensive effects of co-dergocrine (Hydergine) in rats

The renal actions of co-dergocrine and its components (DH-ergocornine, DH-beta-ergokryptine, DH-alpha-ergokryptine and DH-ergocristine) were studied in conscious normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive (SH-) rats. Following p.o. and s.c. administration, co-dergocrine and its components induced dose-dependent increases in water and sodium chloride excretion in both strains. Changes in urinary excretion of potassium were small. Concomitantly, in SHR, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were decreased. In both strains the salidiuretic activity of co-dergocrine remained relatively constant following prolonged administration. In addition in SHR basal plasma renin activity (PRA) as well as BP and HR were decreased. Experiments were also performed in order to investigate the mechanisms underlying the renal effects of co-dergocrine.