European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF DIURETIC AND NATRIURETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BOERHAVIA DIFFUSA LINN ROOT IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Dr. Vijay Patel* and Rekha Gour

ABSTRACT

Boerhavia diffusa commonly known as punarnava is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to family Nyctaginaceae. The medicinal value of this plant in the treatment of a large number of human ailments is mentioned in Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita, and Sushruta Samhita. The aim of present study was to evaluate diuretic and natriuretic activity of ethanolic extracts of Boerhavia diffusa root in albino wistar rats. The results of preliminary phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavonoids, Proteins, amino acids, Carbohydrates, Steroids, Fats and oils, Tannins and phenols. In acute oral toxicity, animals didn‟t show any visible signs of morbidity and mortality. Four groups of Albino wistar rats were used to evaluate diuretic activity of ethanolic extract of roots of Boerhavia diffusa by using Lipschitz test model. Oral administration of Boerhavia diffusa at doses 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg produced a significant (P< 0.01) increase in the urine volume when compared to control and standard. Determination of urinary electrolyte concentration in urine was done by using a flame photometer. It has revealed that ethanolic extract of Boerhavia diffusa roots was effective in increasing urinary sodium concentration. The results were analyzed by One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Thus, in conclusion the Boerhavia diffusa has a significant diuretic and natriuretic action in rats.

Keywords: Diuretic, Natriuretic activity, Ethanolic extract, Lipschitz test, Boerhaavia diffusa, Furosemide.