Investigation of diuretic drug plants. 1. Phytochemical screening and pharmacological evaluation of Anethum graveolens L., Apium graveolens L., Daucus carota L. and Eruca sativa mill

A preliminary phytochemical screening of fruits of Anethum graveolens L., Apium graveolens L., Daucus carota L., and seeds of Eruca sativa Mill., revealed the presence of volatile oil, sterols and/or triterpenes, carbohydrates and/or glycosides, tannins and flavonoids in the four entitled plants; Glucosinolates were detected only in Eruca seeds. Pharmacological evaluation of the aforementioned plants for diuretic activity has shown the ethanolic extracts of Eruca sativa seeds and fruits of Anethum graveolens, Daucus carota as well as the volatile oils in the former two plants to produce an increase in urine flow in dogs. Volatile oil of Eruca seeds, significantly, increased Na+, K+ and Cl− excretion in urine, whereas Anethum graveolens volatile oil significantly increased Na+ and Cl− excretion only. Copyright © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.