Diuretic Activities of Root Bark Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Parquetina nigrescens: I-Effects on Urinary Excretion in Wistar Rat

Background and objective: The root bark of Parquetina nigrescens is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of hypertension and edema for its diuretic properties. This study was conducted to examine the effects of this medicinal plant on the excreted urinary volume and contribute to scientific knowledge on its diuretic action. Methods: Water-overloaded rats were treated separately with increasing doses (5-70 mg/kg) of Parquetina nigrescens root bark aqueous and ethanolic 70 % extracts of and furosemide (FURO) at 5 mg/kg. Excreted urine was collected and measured. Results: Plant extracts caused increased urine excretion in rats. PNea 15 mg/kg and PNee 25 mg/kg were the most active doses. They caused an increase of volume of urine comparable to that induced by FURO 5 mg/kg. A very significant elimination of water overload at p < 0.001 was observed. And the recorded values were 42.73 ± 0.26% (PNea 15 mg/kg), 45.39 ± 0.190% (PNee 25 mg/kg) and 73.6 ± 0.24% (FURO 5 mg/kg) against 29.73 ± 0.24% (Saline solution NaCl 0.9%). Conclusion and perspectives: Increase of urine volume excreted induced by the extracts partly confirms the diuretic virtue of Parquetina nigrescens justifying its empirical use to treat hypertension and edema. However, these results, on their own, do not make it possible to elucidate the mechanism underlying diuretic activity of this plant. Additional studies should be carried out for this purpose. Keywords: Diuretic activity, urinary excretion volume, Parquetina nigrescens, Furosemid

Myostimulating Effect Of Sesamum Radiatum Aqueous Leaf Extract In Isolated Guinea-Pig Taenia Caeci Contractile Activity

This study was carried to examine the effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Sesamum radiatum ,a laxative plant on the contractile activity of Taenia caeci , an intestinal smooth muscle. Strips of Taenia caeci were rapidly removed from guinea-pig and were suspended between two L-shaped stainless steel hooks in a 10 ml organ bath with Mac Ewen solution. The isometric contractile force of the Taenia caeci strips were recorded by using a strain gauge. S. radiatum aqueous leaf extract (ESera) is a spasmogenic substance. This myostimulant effect is characterized by the increase of the rhythm and the amplitude of isolated guinea-pig Taenia caeci smooth muscle in normal solution and by the development of contracture in modified solution and in solution without calcium. A similar effect was observed with ACh which caused a graded increase of the contractile activity of Taenia caeci. The effects induced by ESera and ACh were reversed in the presence of atropine. The spasmogenic effect induced by ESera could justify partially the use of S. radiatum as laxative in traditional medicine

The acute diuretic effect of an ethanolic fraction of Phyllanthus amarus (Euphorbiaceae) in rats involves prostaglandins

Abstract Background Phyllanthus amarus (Schum & Thonn), a plant belonging to the family of Euphorbiaceae is used in Ivorian traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension. However, although this plant has been described as a diuretic agent, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism action of diuretic effects of an ethanolic fraction of Phyllanthus amarus (EFPA) in rats. Methods Effects of EFPA on urinary excretion were carried out for doses ranging from 5 to 80 mg/kg given by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) and compared with that induced by furosemide (5 mg/kg) after 8 h. Thereafter, the diuretic activity of EFPA was also evaluated in the presence of indomethacin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) in order to determine the involvement of prostaglandins, after 24 h. Results Between 5 and 80 mg/kg, EFPA induced a significant urinary excretion. The profile of urinary excretion showed that after 2 h, the highest dose of 80 mg/kg induced a urinary volumetric excretion (UVE), which was similar to that induced by furosemide. After 24 h, EFPA at 10 mg/kg increased significantly UVE, Na+ (43 mEq) and Cl¯ (97 mEq) urinary excretions without promoting kaliuresis. In rats pretreated with indomethacin, the urinary excretion and the natriuretic response of EFPA were significantly reduced. Conclusion Altogether, this study has shown that EFPA promotes a significant urinary excretion of water and Na+, confirming its diuretic activity. Moreover, the increased diuresis could be attributed, at least in part, to the involvement of prostaglandins

Additional file 3: of The acute diuretic effect of an ethanolic fraction of Phyllanthus amarus (Euphorbiaceae) in rats involves prostaglandins

Figure S3. Inhibitory effect of indomethacin on plasma electrolyte level induced by EFPA in rats. Rats were treated over a 24 h period with a single dose of either vehicle (control group), EFPA (10 mg/kg) or EFPA (10 mg/kg) + indomethacin (5 mg/kg, 1 h pretreatment) administered i.p. Data are given as means ± SEM of 6 different experiments. Statistical analyses were assessed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni’s post- test. *p < 0.05 versus control, and #p < 0.05 versus EFPA. (TIFF 174 kb