Diuretic activity of Euphorbia serpens extracts in Wistar rats

Abstract

Euphorbia serpens has been used in central-west region of Argentina in traditional medicine as diuretic plant. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the diuretic activity of E. serpens in-vivo. We used dried aerial parts, and infusions from these were orally administered to Wistar rats. Its effect was evaluated using furosemide as a positive drug and isotonic salt solution as negative control. Their urine output was quantified at several time intervals. The volume of urine excreted and Na⁺ increased significantly, being similar to furosemide. Mannitol, was the main component in aqueous extracts of E. serpens, and the acetone extract showed the presence of Δ¹²- oleanane-type triterpenoids compounds, mainly hederagenin. No toxic effects were observed.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Euphorbia serpens
• diuretic activity
• triterpenoids
• hederagenin
• mannitol
• sodium & potassium content in urine

Acknowledgments

Científica y Tecnológica UNSL-PROICO 02-2620 and UNSL-PROICO 50307. These subsidies are gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank to Drs. Stege and Del Vitto for their help. The authors appreciate language revision of the manuscript by staff from the ‘Gabinete de Asesoramiento a la Escritura Científica’ (GAECI, Scientific Writing Advisory Office), specially to Ldo. Mauricio Muñoz. Raúl Gil and Hugo Garro are part of CONICET researcher’s staff.

Author contributions

Dra. María F. Garro has made the phytochemistry research and pharmacology studies. Dr. Raúl Gil has made the analytical determination of electrolytes in urine excreted. Dr. Jorge Leporati has made the statistical analysis. Dr. Hugo Alejandro Garro has made the chemical determination and supervised all data and experiments. Moreover, Dr. Hugo Alejandro Garro has wrote the manuscript. All data were generated in-house, and no paper mill was used. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of work ensuring integrity and accuracy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.