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The pharmacological actions of a diuretic drug, fenquizone have been investigated and its effects compared with well characterized diuretics in rats, mice and rabbits. Changes in sodium and potassium excretion and urine volume were similar in magnitude and duration to those of the thiazide diuretics over dose range 0·05–100 mg kg−1. Free water clearance in rabbits was decreased indicating an action at the cortical diluting site in the nephron and since free water reabsorption was relatively unaffected it appears unlikely to have actions at other sites. Calcium and phosphate excretion studies also suggested that the predominant effects are those occurring at the cortical diluting segment of the nephron. Additional parameters not affected by the drug were blood flow to the cortex and medulla of the kidney (and other major organs), plasma glucose concentration and plasma urate concentration.

Noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine are present in the fruit of Musa sapientum, var. paradisiaca (Plantain), which forms a staple food of many inhabitants of West Africa. The amounts of 5-hydroxytryptamine and noradrenaline are highest when the fruit is ripe. An estimated daily intake of 10 mg. of 5-hydroxytryptamine by West Africans has little apparent effect on the normal functioning of the intestinal tract.