effects of methanolic extract of oxystelma esculentum on diuresis and urinary electrolytes excretion in rats

the diuretic activity of methanol extract of oxystelma esculentum aerial parts (meoe) was studied in male wister albino rats at 5h and 24h interval. the animals were divided into 5 groups: control, urea, furosemide and 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg meoe. the extract was administered intraperitoneally (i.p) pretreated and all animals were saline meoe. the urine volume (in ml) and electrolytes excretion (na + , k + , ca 2+ and cl - ) at 5h and 24h duration were measured. the urine output increased significantly in urea, furosemide and both meoe groups ( p <0.001). meoe increased the urine volume and electrolytes balance in a dose dependent manner. the results indicate that meoe is an effective hypernatramic, hyperkalaemic, hypercalcemic and hyperchloremic diuretic, which supports the traditional claim about the oxystelma esculentum being used as a diuretic.