Euphorbia hirta leaf extracts increase urine output and electrolytes in rats

Euphorbia hirta is locally used in Africa and Australia to treat numerous d iseases, including hypertension and edema. The diuretic effect of the E. hi rta leaf extracts were assessed in rats using acetazolamide and furosemide as standard diuretic drugs. The water and ethanol extracts (50 and 100 mg/k g) Of the plant produced time-dependent increase in urine output. Electroly te excretion was also significantly affected by the plant extracts. The wat er extract increased the urine excretion of Na (+), K+ and HCO,. In contras t, the ethanol extract increased the excretion of KCO3-, decreased the loss of K+ and had little effect on renal removal of Na+. Acetazolamide, like t he water extract, increased urine output and enhanced the excretion of Na+, K+ and HCO,. The high-ceiling diuretic, furosemide, increased the renal ex cretion of Na+ and Cl-; but had no effect on K+ and HCO3- loss. This study suggests that the active component(s) in the water extract of E. hirta leaf had similar diuretic spectrum to that of acetazolamide. These results vali date the traditional use of E. hirta as a diuretic agent by the Swahilis an d Sukumas. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.