The Capsule

Abstract

This study determined how the bark of Casuarina equisetifolia (Agoho) works as a diuretic towards male Sprague-Dawley rats. Two types of extracts from the bark—ethanolic and aqueous—were used with a cold maceration method and screened for phytochemicals. Sixteen male rats were divided into four groups: furosemide (positive control), saline solution (negative control), ethanolic extract, and aqueous extract. They measured the amount of urine each rat produced, along with the excretion of certain electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride for three hours. Results showed that both extracts increased urine production compared to the control groups. While the ethanolic extract was more effective than the aqueous one, furosemide remains the most potent control. Phytochemical screening found different compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, which are linked to diuretic effects. The study suggests that extracts from Agoho bark have some diuretic qualities and support their use in traditional medicine. More research, including human studies and medical investigations, is needed to better understand their full potential as treatment.

Keywords: Diuretics; Agoho; Furosemide; Ethanolic extract; Aqueous extract.