Evaluation of the Diuretic Activity of the Aqueous and 80% Methanol Leaves Extracts of Ficus Sur Forssk (Moraceae) in Rats
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Date
2020-05
Authors
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Publisher
Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Ficus sur Forssk (Moraceae), commonly known as cape fig, is traditionally used in treatment of many
diseases and ailments. Although investigations on different pharmacological activities of the plant have
been conducted, its folklore use for diuresis has not yet been studied. The current study, therefore,
Ficused on the diuretic activity of aqueous and 80% methanol leaves extracts of Ficus sur in rats. Rats
were randomly assigned into eight groups each consisting of six rats for diuretic test. The negative
control group was treated with distilled water (2 mL/100gm); whilst positive control group was treated
with furosemide (10 mg/kg). The doses (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 400mg/kg) of aqueous and 80%
methanol extracts were administered to rats in group III-VIII, and urine volume was recorded every hour
until the end of the fifth
hour, and cumulative urine volume of each rat was taken. Then, diuretic activity,
diuretic index, saliuretic index, natriuretic index and carbonic anhydrase inhibition index were
calculated to make comparison among the groups. As an electrolyte excretion of all doses of the extracts
showed significant natriuresis (p<0.001) and chloriuresis (p<0.01), the middle (200mg/kg) and the
highest (400mg/kg) doses of both the aqueous and 80% methanol extracts significantly increased
diuresis at the fifth hour (p<0.001) compared to the negative control, though it was less than that of the
positive control. In addition, aqueous extract displayed more significant diuretic effect than 80%
methanol extract. The aqueous and 80% methanol extracts produced alkaline urine. The crude leaves
extracts of Ficus sur increased urinary excretion and concentration of urinary electrolytes in a dosedependent
manner.
These
findings
uphold
the
traditional
use
of
Ficus
sur
as
diuretic
agent
as
claimed
by
traditional
healers.
Description
Keywords
Ficus sur, Diuretic activities, Urinary electrolyte, Furosemide, Rat, Aqueous extract, 80% Methanol extract.