Diuretic and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of leaves of Vepris heterophylla (Engl.) R. Let (Rutaceae) in rats.

Fidèle Ntchapda,Christian Bonabe,David Romain Kemeta Azambou,Théophile Dimo,Emmanuel Talla

doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1439-8

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.MethodsAdult 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsOur 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.

Highlights

Vepris heterophylla (Rutaceae) is a medicinal plant used empirically in African traditional medicine for many clinical conditions including edematous disorders and hypertension
This study indicated that, the vasorelaxation induced by the methanol leaf extract plant was endothelium dependent effect, likely via the Nitric oxide -cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO–cGMP) pathway or independent associated mediators such as prostacyclin [13]
Eight experimental groups were obtained by treating n = 5 rats with a specific solution, i.e.: vehicle solution for the negative control group, one of the 5 different doses of extract investigated for the 5 test groups, and the diuretic drugs furosemide (5 mg/kg) or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (10 mg/kg) for the positive control groups

Summary

Introduction

Vepris heterophylla (Rutaceae) is a medicinal plant used empirically in African traditional medicine for many clinical conditions including edematous disorders and hypertension. Arterial hypertension is among the most frequent pathologies in elderly worldwide, with an incidence ranging from 40 % (about 65 years patients) to 90 % (patients older than 85) in developed countries [1, 2]. This pathology raises more concerns as it constitutes a major risk of cardiovascular accident. The most important of these chemically active (bioactive) constituents of plants are: saponin, glycosides and flavonoid compounds. Many of these indigenous medicinal plants are used for medicinal purposes [7]

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