title: Evaluation of the diuretic and urinary electrolyte effects of methanolic extract ofPeganum harmalaL. in Wistar albino rats.
abstract: The use of traditional medicines as a diuretic agent has been increasing in recent years. The diuretic activity of a number of plant extracts used as diuretic agents in ethnomedicine has been confirmed in experimental animals. However, despite the widespread use ofPeganum harmalain traditional medicine, there is a paucity of data supporting its use as a diuretic agent. Therefore, the present study aimed to envisage the true effect and magnitude of diuresis of methanolic extract ofP. harmala(MEPH) in comparison with a well-known diuretic drug furosemide using Wistar albino rats. MEPH was administered orally in three different doses (150, 300 and 450 mg/kg) to experimentally dehydrated rats. Furosemide (10 mg/kg orally) was used as a reference drug. The diuretic effect of the MEPH was evaluated by measuring urine volume, urine pH, urinary electrolyte levels, natriuretic and saliuretic effects. The urine volume (in mL) measured at 5 h and 24 h and electrolyte excretion (Na+, K+, and Cl-) at 24 h duration were measured. The urine output and urinary electrolyte excretion were found to be significantly higher in rats treated with MEPH as compared to normal rats in a dose dependent manner (P< 0.05). The results of our study were comparable to furosemide drug. Based on observed results, we can recommend thatP. harmalamay be an effective diuretic, however, toxicity studies should be conducted before administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Fahad I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Al-Saikhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohd N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Ansari
keywords: Carbonic anhydrase; Diuretic; Furosemide; Harmaline; Harmine; Peganum harmala L.