Evaluation of diuretic activity of hydro ethanolic extract of Passiflora edulis f edulis (PASSIFLORACEAE) leaves in rat

Passiflora edulis Sims is widely used in traditional medicine in many countries worldwide for the treatment of diverse diseases due to its scientifically demonstrated antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive effects; however, no preclinical studies have been done on the diuretic activity of the hydro ethanolic extract from P. edulis leaves in rats. The objective of this work was to study the diuretic activity of the above-mentioned extract in rats. Oral administration of the extract at doses 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg increases diuresis which is equal to 3.3 ± 0.20 ml in the control animals, versus 4.56 ± 0.34, 5.7 ± 0.10 and 7.96 ± 0.37 ml in the animals treated with the extract (p < 0.05). Natriuresis of the animals treated with the extract increases to 0.91 ± 0.02, 1.07 ± 0.07 and 1.24 ± 0.23 mEq/L respectively, versus 0.77 ± 0.06 mEq/L in the control group (p < 0.05), while kaliuresis increases from 0.31 ± 0.01 mEq/L in the control group to 0.36 ± 0.02, 0.55 ± 0.04 and 0.88 ± 0.05 mEq/L in the animals treated with the extract (p < 0.05). Administration of extract does not affect the urine pH which is equal to 8.13 ± 0.51 in the control animals, versus 8.65 ± 0.47, 8.81 ± 0.5 and 8.83 ± 0.48 in the animals treated with the extract (NS). These results indicate the diuretic effect of hydro ethanolic extract of Passiflora edulis leaves.