Chronic diuretic effect of the water extract of Spergularia purpurea in normal rats

The purpose of this study was to examine the chronic diuretic effect of the water extract of the whole plant of Spergularia purpurea (SP) at different doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) in normal rats. Daily oral administration o f the water extract was tested for 4 weeks. Urinary water and electrolytes excretion were determined weekly. Oral administration of the water extract at different doses produced a significant and dose-dependent diuresis and i ncrease in electrolytes excretion. The highest dose (400 mg/kg) of the wate r extract of SP enhanced urine output from 7.15 +/- 0.42 ml/24 h at the sta rt to 23.01 +/- 0.75 ml/24 h after 4 weeks (p < 0.001). It also produced si gnificant increase in urinary excretion of Na+ (P < 0.01), K+ (P < 0.01) an d Cl- (P < 0.01). Chronic treatment with SP decreased significantly urine o smolality (P < 0.01 vs. control), while a slight increase in glomerular fil tration rate was also observed (P < 0.05) for both doses of water extract ( 100 and 400 mg/kg). It is concluded that the water extract of whole plant o f SP has a significant diuretic effect in rats. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd. All rights reserved.