Diuretic Activity of the Aqueous Extract Leaves of Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae) in Rats

Abstract

Ceiba pentandra is a plant belonging to the family; Bombacaceae. In Cameroon it is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of arterial hypertension and a good number of other cardiovascular complications. This work is aimed at evaluating the sharp diuretic activity of the aqueous extract of Ceiba pentandra leaves in the rat. Male rats weighing between 150 and 180g were chosen to carry out this study. Five doses of (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300mg/kg) of the aqueous extract of Ceiba pentandra leaves were used. The selected animals were then distributed in to eight batches or groups of five rats each. The volume of urinary excretion, food and water intake were determined. The rats were the killed (sacrificed) 24hrs after treatment and the blood collected in heparinated tubes. The concentration of creatinine, urea, glucose, ALAT, ASAT and electrolytes (Na + , K + , Cl -) in blood and/or in the urine was evaluated with use of a spectrophotometer. Aqueous leave extract just like Furosemide and Amiloride brought in rats a significant increase (p˂ 0.05) and dependent dose of volume of urinary excretion compared to the negative control group. Meanwhile the dose of 300 mg/kg of the aqueous extract in rats brought a significant increase (p˂ 0.05) of urinary excretion in 24hrs compared to groups or batches treated with Furosemide (20.86%) and 69.50% Amiloride. This increase in urinary excretion is accompanied with a significant elimination (p˂ 0.05) of Na + and Clions while sparing K + and Ca 2+ ions. The aqueous extract equally brought a significant increase (p˂ 0.05) of the natriuretic, saluretic activities alongside the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase. Furthermore, we equally noted a significant increase (p˂ 0.05) of metabolic wastes (urea and creatinine) in the urine. The evaluation of glycemia revealed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in animals (rats) treated with the aqueous leaves extract from 33.75, 29.65 and 40.92% respectively for the doses of 200, 250 and 300mg/kg compared to the control group. The concentration in transaminase show a great decrease (P<0.05) of the concentration of ASAT from 22.46, 46.79 and 21.73%, respectively for the doses of 250, 300 mg/kg and Amiloride compared to control group. In contrast no significant change (P>0.05) in the rate of ASAT was observed in animals treated with the aqueous extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg as well as in the animals treated with Furosemide compared to the control group. The significant increase (p˂ 0.05) of urinary excretion as well as that of Na + and Clions justify the use of this plant for it diuretic property in the treatment of arterial hypertension.