title: Diuretic and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of leaves of Vepris heterophylla (Engl.) R. Let (Rutaceae) in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vepris heterophylla (Rutaceae) is a medicinal plant used empirically in African traditional medicine for many clinical conditions including edematous disorders and hypertension. V. heterophylla aqueous extract has been used in northern part of Cameroon by traditional healers for the treatment of arterial hypertension. The study aim was to assess the putative diuretic and antioxidant properties of V. heterophylla leaves aqueous extract.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult rats were administered with V. heterophylla leaves aqueous extract acutely (24 h) at doses 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg (per os). The two positive control groups received the diuretic drugs furosemide (5 mg/kg) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, 10 mg/kg), while negative control group received only an equivalent volume of distilled water. Urinary elimination of electrolytes in response to treatments was evaluated, together with changes in concentrations of creatinine, urea, aldosterone, glucose and albumin in urine and plasma. Various urinary indicators of kidney function and plasmatic markers of oxidative stress were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings indicated that the aqueous extract of V. heterophylla at doses ranging from 150 to 250 mg/kg caused a significant and dose-dependent increase of urinary water and electrolytes excretion in normal rats. The aqueous extract of the leaves of V. heterophylla accelerated the elimination of overloaded fluid. At the maximum of diuretic response, urinary osmolarity decreased significantly when compared with controls. Oral administration of aqueous extract at different doses produced a significant diuresis and slight increase in electrolytes (Na+, K+and Cl-) excretion. The results obtained were compared with standard drug-furosemide (5 mg/kg) and hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg). These effects were observed predominantly at 250 mg/kg dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings strongly suggest that V. heterophylla aqueous extract has diuretic and antioxidant activities, and deserves further studies considering the potential for the treatment of hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. ntchapda71@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Fidèle
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ntchapda
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
authors.forename: David Romain
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kemeta Azambou
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Talla
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Théophile
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dimo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004232:Diuretics / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D027821:Rutaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D004232:Diuretics; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antioxidant; Diuretic; Electrolytes; Urine; Vepris heterophylla; kidney function