Evaluation of the diuretic activity of the aqueous and 80% methanolic extractsof the leaves of Medicago sativa L.( Fabaceae) in mice
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Date
2015-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Diuretics are therapeutic agents that are used to increase the rate of urine flow and sodium
excretion in order to adjust the volume and composition of body fluids or to eliminate excess of
fluids from tissues. Most diuretic agents available in the market present a wide range of problems
such as efficacy and undesired effects. These limit their clinical usefulness and remain to be
solved, leaving an open door for new and better compounds. Medicago sativaL.( Fabaceae)is
used as diuretic in traditional medicine practice, but the plant has not been scientifically
evaluated for the claimed activity.The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate
thediuretic activity of the aqueous and 80% methanolextracts of the leaves of Medicago sativa
L.( Fabaceae) in mice.Extraction of the leaves of Medicago sativa was performed using
successive maceration. Male mice were treated with vehicle (distilled water or 2% tween 80),
standard (hydrochlorothiazide 10 mg/kg) and three doses (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000
mg/kg,) of aqueous, and 80% methanol extract. Parameters, including urine volume, electrolyte
concentration, and pH were measured and analyzed. The aqueous and80% methanolextracts
significantly increased (p<0.01) diuresis starting from 500 mg/kg. Regarding electrolyte excretion,
the aqueous extract produced significant natriuresis at 500 mg/kg (p<0.001) and significant kaliuresis
at 250 mg/kg (p<0.001), and the80% methanolic extract showed significant natriuresisat 500 mg/kg
(p<0.001)and kaliuresisat 250 mg/kg (p<0.001).Preliminary phytochemical screening of the
extracts revealed the presence of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids terpenoids,
flavonoids and saponins, which could be the responsible component(s) for the diuretic activity.
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The two extracts were also found to be safe at 2000mg/kg. The findings collectively indicate that
the plant extract do have diuretic activity as it is claimed by the traditional healers and activity
increased with increasing dose( R2=0.98 ).
Keywords: Medicago sativa ,diuresis, natriuresis and kaluresis.
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Keywords
Medicago sativa ; Diuresis; Natriuresis and kaluresis.