Evaluation of the Acute Diuretic Activity and Acute Toxicity of Hydroethanol Extract of the Fruits of Ammodaucus leucotrichus

Abstract

Ammodaucus leucotrichus, an important plant in Moroccan traditional medicine, is used to relieve various symptoms and pathologies, such as hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the diuretic and acute toxicity effects of the hydroethanol extract of Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruits (ALFE). ALFE was prepared by cold maceration in 75% ethanol and 25% water. Healthy Wistar rats, preloaded with isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl, 25 mL/kg), were divided into five groups of six rats each: Negative control (distilled water 5 mL/kg; orally), Positive control (furosemide 13 mg/kg; orally), and three groups treated with ALFE at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, respectively as single oral dose. Acute oral toxicity was assessed in adult albino mice at a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg, Urine volume and electrolyte (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻) levels were measured 24 hours after treatment. All doses significantly increased urine output (P < 0.001) at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours compared to the negative control. The highest ALFE dose (300 mg/kg) caused pronounced and sustained polyuria comparable to furosemide at 24 hours. Electrolyte excretion also increased significantly (P < 0.001) across all doses compared to the negative control and furosemide. Acute oral toxicity test showed no mortality or sign of toxicity over 14 days observation period. Furthermore, no significant weight loss or behavioral abnormalities were observed, indicating that the extract exhibits low acute toxicity at the tested dose. These findings confirm the potent diuretic effect of ALFE and support its traditional medicinal use for promoting diuresis.