Abstract

EVALUATION OF DIURETIC ACTIVITY ON WHOLE PLANT METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA IN RATS WITH COMPARISON OF FUROSEMIDE, VASOPRESSIN (ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE)

Kanakam Vijayabhaskar*, Adduri Shiva Prasad, Mohd Thousif Uddin, Majjiga Vamshi, Gundu Rahul Gopal and Burugadda Ravi

ABSTRACT

Evaluation of the diuretic activity on Euphorbia hirta in rats Methods: Three doses (500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg) of the methanol extract (ME) were orally administered to Adult Wister Albino rats. Furosemide, vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and distilled water were used as diuretic reference, antidiuretic reference and control, respectively. Urine output was recorded up to 6 h at hourly intervals. To investigate the mode of action, pH, specific gravity, conductivity, total dissolve solids, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, leucocytes, nitrite, urobilinogen, protein, blood, ketones, bilirubin and glucose were tested in the urine of 500 mg/kg treated and control rats. Six hours later, serum electrolyte levels (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) were evaluated. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was also determined in terms of creatinine clearance. Overt toxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction of urine output (by 45%) and aldosterone secretion index (Na+/K+) were observed while sodium (by 38%) and potassium (by 114%) levels were increased significantly (p < 0.05). GFR was not changed significantly (p > 0.05). Further, the methanol extract was non-toxic in terms of overt signs of toxicity, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea and creatinine levels. The methanol extract of Euphorbia hirta has moderate and safe oral antidiuretic activity.

Keywords: Euphorbia hirta, Antidiuretic, Diuretic, Toxicity, Furosemide, vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone).