Sajja Ravindra Babu*, P. Madhuri, V. Vasavi, P. Vinod, S. Ravinder
Department of Pharmacology, Malla Reddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Secunderabad, U.P. India
*Address for Corresponding Author
Dr. Sajja Ravindra Babu
Department of Pharmacology, Malla Reddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Maisammaguda, Secunderabad-500100 Telangana state, India
Abstract
Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the diuretic activity of the methanolic extract of Withania Somnifera whole plant extract in rats. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into five groups each comprising six rats. Group I served as negative control and received distilled water 10 ml/kg, Group II served as a positive control and was given a standard drug 10mg/kg hydrochlorothiazide, Group III, IV and V were test groups and received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of methanolic extract of Withania Somnifera, respectively. Urine output was collected up to 24 hr and analyzed for electrolytes. Results: The methanolic extract of Withania Somnifera increased diuresis significantly at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (p<0.01). Regarding electrolyte excretion, 400 mg/kg of methanolic extract had increased Na+, K+, Cl+ (p<0.01), when compared with the standard. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids and saponins, which could be the responsible components for the diuretic activity. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that the plant is enriched with significant diuretic activity providing evidence for its traditional claim. The increased diuresis effects of the crude extracts may be attributable for presence of increased phytoconstitutents.
Keywords: Withania somnifera, electrolyte excretion, flavonoids, diuresis
