Evaluation of the diuretic and analgesic activities of the rhizomes of Rumex abyssinicus Jacq in mice

Abstract

Rumex abyssinicus Jacq (Polygonaceae) has been used traditionally for treatment of hypertension, inflammatory and painful conditions in Ethiopia. The present study aimed to evaluate the diuretic and analgesic activities of extracts of Rumex abyssinicus at different doses in mice. The effect on urine volume and urinary electrolyte (Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-)) was assessed for a period of 5h following oral administration of aqueous (500 mg/kg, 750 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg) or 80% methanolic (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg or 750 mg/kg) extract or furosemide (10mg/kg). Acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate tests were employed to study the analgesic effect of 80% methanolic extracts (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg, P.O.) and compared with that of aspirin (100mg/kg, P.O.) or morphine (10mg/kg, sc). The extracts displayed dose-dependent diuretic and analgesic effects. The highest doses of both extracts markedly and significantly increased (P<0.001) urine volume and urinary electrolytes, qualitatively similar to that of furosemide. 1000 mg/kg of the extract reduced the number of writhing by 67.6% (P<0.001) and conferred more than 70% protection against thermally induced pain stimuli after 45 min of treatment comparable to that of aspirin and morphine, respectively. These findings collectively indicate that the extracts exhibited significant diuretic and analgesic activities, providing evidence, at least in part, for its folkloric use.