DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2013.v01i04.006

Pages: 131-135

The allegations related to the antihypertensive effect of Ficus exasperata in the treatment of hypertension were identified. This increases its use in primary health care for many people and can cause disturbances in the balance of water and electrolytes. The aim of this work was to compare the effects of Ficus exasperata aqueous leaf extract (FEFIX) and a thiazide diuretic on urinary excretion in normal rats. Single doses of FEFIX (50 mg/kg b.wt.) and hydrochlorothiazide (5 mg/kg b.wt.) were administered to rats previously received fluid overload (50 ml/kg b.wt.). The urine were collected, measured and sampled for 24 hours. Blood was sampled at the end of the experiment. FEFIX induced a relatively important volume excretion (120.25 ± 5.75%) and higher than that induced by hydrochlorothiazide (91.50 ± 6.38%). FEFIX increases urinary excretion of electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl- and Ca++), creatinine and urea like hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). These urinary excretion of electrolytes decreased serum sodium and serum chloride. At the end of this work, it appears that FEFIX and HCTZ increased urine volume, urinary excretion of electrolytes and decreased plasma electrolytes. However, FEFIX effects are relatively more important.