Abstract
Purpose: The present study was undertaken to
investigate diuretic effect of aqueous and methanol
extracts of the dried seeds of Lepidium sativum
in normal rats.
Method: Aqueous and methanol extracts of L.
sativum seeds were administered to experimental rats
orally at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg p.o.
Hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg) was used as positive
control in study. The diuretic effect of the extracts
was evaluated by measuring urine volume, sodium and
potassium content, conductivity and pH.
Result: Urine volume was significantly increased
by the two doses of aqueous and methanol extracts in
comparison to control group. While the excretion of
sodium was also increased by both extracts, potassium
excretion was only increased by the aqueous extract at a
dose of 100 mg/kg. There was no significant change in
the conductivity and pH of urine after administration of
the L. sativum extracts. The diuretic effect of
the extracts was comparable to that of the reference
standard (hydrochlorothiazide) and the methanol had the
additional advantage of a potassium-conserving effect.
Conclusion: We can conclude that aqueous and
methanol extracts of L. sativum produced notable
diuretic effect which appeared to be comparable to that
produced by the reference diuretic HCTZ. The present
study provides a quantitative basis for explaining the
folkloric use of L. sativum as a diuretic agent
in Moroccan population.
Keywords: Diuretic activity, Lepidium sativum,
Herbal medicine, Medicinal plants.
