Diuretic activity from a Costus pictus D. Don. decoction

[摘要] INTRODUCTION: Costus pictus D.Don. (Mexican cane) is a species cultivated as ornamental in Cuba and decoction of leaves is traditionally used for urinary affections including infections, lithiasis and renal colitis.OBJECTIVE: to assess the diuretic activity from the C. pictus leaves decoction. METHODS: a decoction with 30 % dry leaves was made and given to Wistar male rats at 200, 400 and 800 mg doses of total solids/kg. Volume was completed with saline solution to achieve a hydrosaline overload with a total volume of constant administration of 40 mL/kg for treatment group and for the positive control (20 mg/kg Furosemide) and the negative control (0,9 % sodium chloride ). Urine volume released were measured at half an hour, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours and electrolytes concentrations (Na+ and K+) were assessed in total collected urine. RESULTS: there was a diuretic action depending on dose in C. pictus decoction with better results using the 800 mg/kg dose. The sodium and potassium levels released in urine were higher than those of negative control group thus, we think about a similar behavior to Furosemide, despite its effect never is surmountable. The diuretic activity was higher in the last dose level (800 mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS: results achieved allow us to conclude that the 30 % decoction of dry leaves of C. pictus had a dose-dependent diuretic effect.

[学科分类] 药理学

[关键词] Costus pictus;plantas medicinales;diurético;ratas