DIURETIC AND ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE ACTIVITY OF CLERODENDRUM CHINENSE (OSBECK) MABB. AQUEOUS EXTRACT IN 8% SALT DIET INDUCED HYPERTENSIVE RATS.
Diuresis refers to increase in the rate of urine flow and sodium excretion from the system via the urine. It is a necessary excretory process that may prove difficult for some disease systems e.g. enlarged prostates. Hypertension occurs as a result of systolic blood pressure higher than 140 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mmHg. It is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting more a billion people worldwide. A high dietary sodium intake is one of the factors associated with the development of hypertension. Clerodendrum chinensis is used by local communities in West Africa for its diuretic and anti-hypertensive properties. We analyse the phytochemical properties of the mixed leaf, root and stem aqueous extract of the plant and investigate its anti-hypertensive and diuretic activity in Sodium chloride diet induced hypertensive rats. The anti-hypertensive effect of extract at different concentrations (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) was studied and compared with known drug compound; Furosemide. Treated animal urine was analyzed for urinary excretion and diuretic action. The anti-hypertensive effect was statistically significant when compared with the control p < 0.001. The extract at 100mg/kg demonstrated the best systolic and diastolic blood pressure lowering potential as compared to other concentrations. The diuretic action of the plant extract at the lowest dose (100 mg/kg) was high and quantitatively similar to the standard drug. The combined powdered leaf, stem and roots aqueous extract of C. chinense possesses anti-hypertensive and diuretic potential in salt loaded hypertensive rats.