Determinación de la actividad diurética del extracto hidroalcohólico de hojas de Piper peltatum L. sobre Rattus norvegicus.

Abstract

The objective of the research was to determine the diuretic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Piper peltatum L. leaves on Rattus norvegicus animal model. A phytochemical screening was carried out to determine the metabolites present in the extract and its quality parameters were evaluated. For the determination of phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity, colorimetric methods were used. In the evaluation of diuretic activity were used 22 male rats weighing between 200-280 grams, which were administered orally doses of 25, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract, for the positive control was used 10 mg/kg of furosemide and as vehicle 0,9 % carboxymethylcellulose. Subsequently, the total volume of urine was calculated and the electrolytes were evaluated in the same urine after 6 hours of administration of each treatment. In the phytochemical screening was identified the presence of metabolites as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, reducing sugars, triterpenes, and steroids among others. The content of total phenols in the extract was 27,70 ± 0,33%, while flavonoids obtained 8,66 ± 0,90%. The antioxidant activity of the extract obtained relatively low values. The diuretic effect was checked with a dose of 100 mg/kg of extract, which was similar to the control (furosemide); while, at the same concentration, the potassium ion excretion was higher, compared with the positive controls and the vehicle. Therefore, it is established that the hydroalcoholic extract of Piper peltatum L. leaves presents diuretic activity and it is recommended to carry out consecutive analyzes to determine the active compounds responsible for the effect and to understand better its mechanism of action.