Efecto diurético del extracto acuoso de pericarpio de melón (Cucumis melo L. variedad reticulatus Naud) en ratas

objective: to assess the diuretic effect of the shell from the fruit cucumis melo l. variety reticulatus naud in rats. methods: an aqueous macerate of pericarpium from the fresh fruit was prepared at 3 different concentrations, 25, 50 and 100 % of extract. it was administered by oral route at a dose of 6 ml/300 g. the negative control received nacl solution 0.09 % and acetazolamide (10, 20 y 40 mg/kg) was administered as positive control. results: it was observed an increase of the volume of urine and of the concentration of electrolites compared with the control group. urinary excretion, diuretic activity and action were in some cases similar to the reference diuretic. the potassium-sodium relation suggests a furosemide action mechanism. conclusions: it was proved the effect of the use of the decoction of watermelon shell as diuretic in venezuelan traditional medicine.