Background: Withania somnifera (Local name â€˜Gisawaâ€™) is used in folkloric medicinernfor the management of hypertension in different parts of the world including Ethiopia,rnthis may be due to its diuretic activity. However, it has not been yet scientificallyrnvalidated for its efficacy and safety.rnObjective: The aim of this study was to investigate the diuretic potential of both hydroalcoholicrn(80% methanol) extract and solvent fractions of the hydro-alcoholic root extractrnof W. somnifera in rats.rnMethods and Materials: The roots of W. somnifera used in this study were collectedrnfrom Addis Ababa, which was then identified and authenticated by a taxonomist. Thernplant materials were garbled, dried under shade and grounded which were then maceratedrnin 80% methanol to give the crude extract. A portion of the crude 80% methanol extractrnwas further partitioned sequentially using solvents of increasing polarity to givernchloroform, n-butanol fractions and the aqueous residue. Rats were randomly dividedrninto five groups; two control groups (positive and negative controls) and three test groupsrneach comprising six rats. Group I served as negative control and received distilled waterrn10 ml/kg, Group II served as a positive control and was given a standard drug 10mg/kgrnhydrochlorothiazide, Group III, IV and V were test groups and received 200, 400 and 600rnivrnmg/kg of the hydro-alcoholic extract, respectively. And a similar grouping was used forrnthe solvent fractions. Urine output was collected up to 24 h and analyzed for electrolytes.rnResults: The hydro-alcoholic extract increased diuresis significantly at the doses of 400rnand 600 mg/kg (p