Evaluation of Diuretic Activity of Aqueous and Hydro Methanolic Crude Extracts and Solvent Fraction of the Hydromethanolic Flower Extract of Erica Arborea L. (Ericaceae) in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the diuretic effects of aqueous (AQ) and hydromethanolic crude extract (HM) the as well as the solvent fractions of the HM extract from Erica arborea flowers in mice. Methods Mice were administered AQ and HM crude extracts, along with solvent fractions of HM extracts of E. arborea flowers, including HXF (n-hexane fraction), EAF (ethyl acetate fraction), and AQF (aqueous fraction), at doses ranging from 100 to 400 mg/kg orally. The effects of these extracts and solvent fractions on urine and salt excretion over 5 hours were compared to the effects of the solvent used for reconstitution and a standard drug (furosemide 10 mg/kg), as well as to each other. Results The HM crude extract at a lower dose (100 mg/kg) significantly increased urine volume and salt excretion starting from the 3rd h compared to the AQ crude extract. Similar effects were observed for EAF. Notably, the HM extract and its EAF at 400 mg/kg showed comparable urine and salt excretion profiles to the standard drug. Conclusion This study demonstrated that HM extract and EAF promote better diuresis, likely due to their saluretic properties. Furthermore, it confirms the diuretic activity of Erica arborea flowers.