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Diuretic activity of piper peltatum L. (piperaceae) from ecuador on rattus norvegicus

Abstract:

Piper peltatum L. is a species that belongs to the Piperaceae family and it is used traditionally as diuretic medicinal plant. This study has been focused on evaluating the acute diuretic activity of P. peltatum from Ecuador and to determine its phenolics and flavonoids content. The extract was obtained from P. peltatum roots through a maceration process using ethanol 70 %. Total phenolic content was estimated by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and total flavonoid content was evaluated through of AlCl3 complexation method. The study of the diuretic effect was performed on Rattus norvegicus, using extracts at doses of 25, 100 and 200 mg/kg, normal control (sodium carboxymethylcellulose, CMC, 0.5 % w/v, dose: 10 mL/kg) and standard (furosemide, dose: 10 mg/kg). Urine volume and the excretion of electrolytes increased in rats treated with P. peltatum ethanolic extracts, concluding that the diuretic activity of this species was statistically similar to furosemide. This activity could be related to the presence of phenolic and flavonic compounds. Piper peltatum is an interesting source of natural diuretic metabolites. Further detailed phytochemical, toxicity and clinical studies are required.