<i>Acalypha wilkesiana</i> Muell Arg Induced Diuresis in Salt-Loaded Rats: Implications for the Management of Edema, Obesity and Hypertension

Abstract

Effect of the leaves on the weight, urine output, and plasma and urine chemistry of salt-loaded rats was investigated. The control group received a diet consisting 100% of the commercial feed; the test-control received a diet consisting 8% salt and 92% commercial feed, while the test received diet containing 8% salt, 5% leaf powder
and 87% commercial feed. There was no significant difference in the food intake of the three groups, although the weight change of the test animals was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the other two groups. The time course of the mean daily urine output per rat revealed an initial diuretic impact of the leaves, to a level that was sustained through
to the sixth week, while there was a gradual/steady increase in the urine output of the test-control. There was no significant difference in the plasma acetone, albumin and creatinine concentrations of the test and test-control, while the plasma sugar concentration of the test was significantly (p<0.05) the least. The leaves had no effect on urinary
excretion of acetone, potassium and creatinine, but significantly lowered (p<0.05) the albumin and increased the sodium excretion.