Diuretic activity of the methanol extract from maracuyá leaves (Passiflora edulis Sims) in rats

INTRODUCTION: Passiflora edulis Sims (maracuyá) is widely used in traditional medicine in many countries worldwide for treatment of diverse diseases due to its scientifically demonstrated antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive effect; however, there are not preclinical studies on methanol extract diuretic activity from P. edulis leaves in rats. OBJECTIVES: to determine the diuretic activity of above mentioned extract in rats. METHODS: twenty Holtzman rats were used in this study divided into four groups (n= 5). Previous fasting of 18 hours, all rats were hydrated using 5 mL/100 g of saline solution. Group 1 received 5 mL/kg of this solution (negative control); group 2 received intraperitoneal Furosemide in dose of 10 mg/kg (positive control); the groups 3 and 4 received intraperitoneal methanol extract from P. edulis leaves in dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. RESULTS: at 24 hours, urine collectable volumes in groups treated with methanol extract from P. edulis leaves were significantly different from that of control group, but not from that in Furosemide group. CONCLUSIONS: diuretic activity of methanol extract from maracuyá leaves was demonstrated.