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Assessment of the diuretic and urinary electrolyte effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Oreocallis grandiflora (Lam.) R. Br. in Wistar albino rats

Abstract:

The aim of this research was to perform phytochemical screening and to evaluate the diuretic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of flowers of Oreocallis grandiflora on Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus). Hydroalcoholic extract of the dry powered flowers of O. grandiflora was obtained by cold maceration method and was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. The diuretic activity of the plant extract at doses of 25, 100 and 200 mg/kg and control (furosemide 10 mg/kg) was carried out using metabolic cages, determining the urine volume excreted and the Na+, K+, Cl- and Ca2+ urine concentrations. Furthermore, total phenolic content was estimated by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, total flavonoid content was evaluated through of AlCl3 complexation method and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of plant extract. Phytochemical analysis of extract revealed the presence of major classes of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, steroids, etc.; but no alkaloids were detected. The hydroalcoholic extract showed a high phenolics and flavonoids content, also exhibited an appreciable antioxidant activity. The diuretic activity of the plant extract was significant in comparison with the standard diuretic drug, furosemide; due it does not show a statistical difference (p<0.05) when comparing the lower dose of the hydroalcoholic extract (25 mg/kg) v.s. furosemide (10 mg/kg). The diuretic effect of the plant extract was inversely proportional to the dose. Based on the results of this preliminary study, it can be concluded that O. grandiflora is a very interesting source of natural diuretic compounds which can be used to prevent many chronic disorders. Further detailed phytochemical studies are needed to identified the chemical compounds responsible of the potent diuretic activity showed.