Investigating the Anti-Urinary Tract Infection Effect of Cornu's Mas Extract in the Rat

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection and usually requires antibiotics for treatment. But the antibiotic resistance is always a serious concern. So, developing some alternative medication strategies such as herbal medicine is an extreme need. Several studies have confirmed the prophylactic and also therapeutic effects of a variety of anthocyanin-containing berries for UTIs. Cornus mas which is native to Southern Europe and Southwestern Asia is also rich in anthocyanin but its effect on UTI has been not yet studied. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Cornu's mas extract in treating UTI in rat models. After inducing UTI in 18 Wistar rats, they were sub-grouped into three groups: control group, nitrofurantoin treated group (case I) and Cornus mas treated group (case II). After seven days of treatment, the UTI indicators like fever, microscopic analysis of urine, and pathological examination of the bladder were investigated. Actually, UTI indicators were resolved after treatment in both treated groups (nitrofurantoin and case II). Comparison of the results between the control group and the other three groups confirmed the development of UTI in the rat model. Clinical, laboratory, and pathologic results proposed that the Cornus mas extract effects in treating UTI are not inferior to that of nitrofurantoin. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, Cornu's mas extract can be a gifted potential substitute for antibiotics in treating UTI in rat models.