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

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.