Abstract
Objective: To assess the diuretic potential of hot water extract (HWE) of a whole plant of Amaranthus viridis L. Materials and Methods: Different doses (25, 50, and 100 mg / kg) of HWE of the whole plant of A. viridis or vehicle or furosemide, reference drug, was orally administered to hydrated rats (n = six / group) and their cumulative urine output was monitored at hourly intervals for five hours. Result: The HWE of A.viridis does not possess significant (P > 0.05) diuretic activity. Conclusion : The HWE of the whole plant of A. viridis did not possess diuretic activity in rats, as was claimed in traditional and folkloric medicine.

Key words: Amaranthus viridis , diuresis, diuretic, traditional medicine