Based on community use, the Moringa tea was prepared by soaking 2 teaspoons (Tsp) (about 2 g) of loose tea leaves in 100 mL of water (0.68 g dried tea extract) which is to be consumed by an adult with the average weight considered to be 60 kg. Based on this previous information, the effective human dose is calculated to be 11.33 mg/kg, from which the animal dose was derived. This dose was then halved (1 Tsp), doubled (4 Tsp), and tripled (6 Tsp) to explore the diuretic activity of the leaves at different dose levels in rats. The dose calculation was based on slight modifications of the US FDA recommendations for dose extrapolation between species.15
The weight of tea leaves to be measured was determined based on the total weight of the respective group of animals and the final administration volume of 5 mL/kg. A total volume of 100 mL was prepared as follows: the loose tea leaves of M. stenopetala were macerated in hot distilled water (94.5°C) for 15 minutes which was filtered through cotton gauze to give clear straw-colored infusions with different depths of colors. The dose for the aqueous extract was determined based on a previous animal diuretic study that was conducted with the hydroalcoholic leaf extract of M. stenopetala.13 Accordingly, 500 mg/kg which was observed to be an optimal dose served as the maximum dose from which the other dose levels were proportionally derived (250, 125, and 62.5 mg/kg).
The weight of tea leaves to be measured was determined based on the total weight of the respective group of animals and the final administration volume of 5 mL/kg. A total volume of 100 mL was prepared as follows: the loose tea leaves of M. stenopetala were macerated in hot distilled water (94.5°C) for 15 minutes which was filtered through cotton gauze to give clear straw-colored infusions with different depths of colors. The dose for the aqueous extract was determined based on a previous animal diuretic study that was conducted with the hydroalcoholic leaf extract of M. stenopetala.13 Accordingly, 500 mg/kg which was observed to be an optimal dose served as the maximum dose from which the other dose levels were proportionally derived (250, 125, and 62.5 mg/kg).
