Diuretic and natriuretic activities from ten medicinal plants used in south Benin.

Abstract

The present investigation aimed to appreciate the diuretic and natriuretic activities from south Beninese10 leaves and roots plants aqueous extracts and their extemporary infusions in normal wistar rats. After orally administration of the different aqueous extract at dose 109.6 mg/kg, and extemporary infusion at 7.6 mL/kg (body weight) to Wistar rat, the volume of urine excreted was determined in stepped up test-tube and the quantity of ions (Na+, K+) by ionic spectrophotometrically measuring. Sarcocephalus Latifolius, Senna siamea and furosemide (as reference drug) showed, in Wistar rat treated, an important significant diuretic activities ( 150% and 173.60% respectively). A weak diuretic activity was obtained with Azadirachta Indica, Coconucifera and Mangifera Indica, the step one by Dialium Guineense and Momordica Charantia when the antidiuretic activity was observed from Acanthospermum Hispidum, Crateva Adansonii and Uvaria Chamea. Potassium excretion was significantly increased by Uvaria Chamea, Azadirachta Indica and Momordica Charantia while the seven others plants produced significant increases in sodium ([Na+]/[K+] ratio 1) compared to that of furosemide (2.52). The results have showed that the urine of Wistar rathas a pH between 6.7 and 7.8 with an average of 7.2 ± 0.4. Sarcocephalus Latifolius and Senna siamea infusions were the best in terms of diuretic and natriuretic activities and provided quantitative basis for explaining their use in folk Beninese medicine.