Assessment of the Diuretic Activity of Petroselinum Crispum Aqueous Leaves Extract in Wistar Rats

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> This research work aims to contribute to the valorization of plants used in traditional medicine to improve populations health. It was particularly a question of evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of the aqueous extract of leaves of Petroselinum crispum (Apiaceae), a plant traditionally used for its diuretic effect. <strong>Methods:</strong> Five groups of four 18h-fasted rats and under water overload using a 0.9% NaCl saline solution were treated separately with the saline solution, Furosemide (Furo 40 mg/kg) and 3 increasing doses of Petroselinum crispum aqueous leaves extract (PcAE 500, 100 and 1500 mg/kg). The quantities of urine collected at 2 h intervals for 24 h determined, electolytes and biochemical markers of the kidney were measured. <strong>Results:</strong> PcAE led to a dose-dependent increase in urinary excretion. At a dose of 1500 mg/kg, it induced, 24 hours after administration, a statistically significant increase in urinary excretion compared to control rats having received only the saline solution (34.99 ± 8.46 ml/kg). The urinary excretion produced was statistically similar to that of Furo 40 mg/kg. This excretion was gone with an elimination of Na⁺ and K⁺. Also the determination concentration of creatinine and urea in the urine revealed that the plant extract did not disrupt the renal function during treatment. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Petroselinum crispum aqueous leaves extract has an diuretic and natriuretic activity similar to that of the furosemide. This activity would be conferred by the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids.</p>