P Venkatesh,A Dinakar,N Senthilkumar
The present study was undertaken to evaluate diuretic effect of alcoholic extracts of stem and leaves of Boerhaavia diffusa (AEBD) and leaves of Anisochilus carnosus (AEAC) in normal rats. The extracts were administered to experimental rats orally at doses of 150 & 300mg/kg of AEBD and 200 & 400mg/kg of AEAC. Furosemide was used as a standard drug at a dose of 20mg/kg in the present study. The diuretic effect was evaluated by measuring urine volume, sodium and potassium content in urine. Urine volume was significantly increased by the doses of AEBD and AEAC in comparison to control group. While the excretion of sodium also increased by the test drugs. The diuretic effect of the extracts was comparable to that of standard drug. Hence the present study provides a quantitative basis for explaining the folkloric use of Boerhaavia diffusa and Anisochilus carnosus as a diuretic agent.
