Acute diuretic effect of aqueous extract of Retama raetam in normal rats

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute diuretic effect of the water extract of the aerial parts of Retama raetam (RR) at a dose of 5 mg/kg/h in normal rats. The aqueous extract was administered intravenously and the diuresis was followed within 4 h after starting the treatment. Intravenous administration of the aqueous RR extract produced a significant increment on diuresis from the second hour (p<0.01) to the fourth hour (p<0.001). Furosemide at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/h had a similar effect when compared to RR administration. Parallel, the noticed increase of diuresis was associated with an elevation of glomerular filtration rate (p<0.05) and a significant decrease of urinary osmolarity (p<0.001). However, RR extract did not affect plasma urea levels, urine pH, plasma osmolarity and hematocrite. It is then concluded that the water extract of the aerial parts of RR exhibited a significant diuretic effect in normal rat.