Experimental diuretic effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and Centaurium erythraea

Herbal remedies are widely used in Moroccan pharmacopoeia. We assessed the diuretic effect of two medicinal plants: Rosmarinus officinalis L., Labiatae, and Centaurium erythraea L., Gentianaceae, both reputed for the treatment of urinary ailments. To determine the action of these herbs on urinary volume (UV) and the excretion of sodium (U NaV), potassium (U KV), and chloride (U ClV), the aqueous extracts of both plants were administered daily to Wistar rats for 1 week. The concentration of electrolytes and urea in plasma and creatinine clearance were also investigated. Daily oral administration of the aqueous extracts of R. officinalis and C. erythraea at the dose of 10 ml/kg of 8 or 16% extract in distilled water significantly enhanced diuresis in rats compared to the control group from the fifth day of treatment. For R. officinalis at the dose of 8% the peak of urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride was reached after 6 days of treatment ( P