Diuretic activity of carob (<i>Ceratonia silique</i> L.) Honey: comparison with furosemide

Abstract

Background: Honey has wide range of biological activities. It has effect on renal function, and urinary nitric oxide and prostaglandins level. The present study was conducted to evaluate diuretic potential of carob honey, collected from Morocco, in normal rats and the results were compared with use of furosemide.Materials and methods: Adult male Wister rats weighing between 230 and 278 g were used. The animals were divided into three groups; group 1 received oral administration of distilled water (10 ml/kg BW), and served as control group, group 2 received oral administration of furosemide (10 mg/kg BW), and group 3 was treated with oral administration of carob honey (100 mg/kg BW). Urine volume, and urine and plasma sodium and potassium were measured after single dose of the interventions and after daily administrations of the interventions.Results: After the single dose of carob honey, urine output was significantly increased at all time intervals (1-6 hrs and at 24 hrs after administration). The daily dose of carob honey for nine days significantly increased urine volume as compared to control group. Carob honey increased urinary levels of sodium and potassium, and did not cause hypokalemia, while furosemide increased urinary sodium and potassium and caused hypokalemia.Conclusion: Carob honey has diuretic, natriuretic and kaliuretic activity without side effects of hypokalemia that was observed with use of furosemide.Key words: Carob honey, furosemide, diuresis, sodium, potassium, creatinine clearance