Evaluation of diuretic activity of solvent fractions of 80% methanol root extract of Clutia abyssinica Jaub and Spach (Euphorbiaceae) in rats
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2017-12
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Abstract
Diuretics are drugs that increase the rate of urine flow and sodium excretion, and are used to adjust the volume and composition of body fluids in a variety of clinical conditions. Several diuretic agents are available in the market, but they are associated with a multitude of problems which are not yet solved. These limit their clinical usefulness and calls for the search for new and better compounds. This study aimed to investigate the diuretic activity of different solvent fractions of 80% methanol root extract of Clutia abyssinica, an extensively used plant in Ethiopian folk medicine. The roots of Clutia abyssinica were subjected to successive maceration followed by liquid-liquid extraction. Male rats were treated with vehicle (distilled water or 2% Tween 80), standard (Furosemide 10 mg/kg) and three doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) of 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions. Parameters, including urine volume, electrolyte concentration and pH were measured. The 80% methanol extract produced significant diuresis (p<0.001) at 200 and 400 mg/kg by the end of the fifth hour compared to negative control. Among the solvent fractions, the n-butanol fraction had significant diuresis (p<0.001) at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. The aqueous fraction, however, did not induce significant diuresis. On the other hand, the chloroform fraction had no significant diuresis at 100 and 200 mg/kg but had at 400 mg/kg (p<0.01). Regarding electrolyte excretion, the 80% methanol extract produced significant natriuresis and kaliuresis at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001) compared to negative control. Similarly, the n-butanol fraction had also produced significant natriuresis and kaliuresis (p<0.001) at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of the 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions revealed the presence of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenols and saponins, which might account for the diuretic activity. These findings collectively indicate that the n-butanol fraction exhibited significant diuretic activity, which could be used as a starting point for further studies.
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Clutia abyssinica, diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis.