Abstract

EVALUATION OF DIURETIC ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF CENTELLA ASIATICA

Eusuf Al Huda and Jiban Debnath* 

Abstract

Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate diuretic effect of aqueous extracts of the dried leaves of Centella asiatica in normal rats. Centella asiatica (L.) is a perennial herb, faintly aromatic and used traditionally for various medicinal properties from ancient times. Demand for herbal formulation is growing all over the world as they are considered to be safer with fewer side effects than the synthetic ones. Material and methods: The leaves of the plant were washed and dried under the shade, extracted with distilled water. The extracts so obtained dried and concentrated under vacuum using rotary vacuum evaporator. The method of Lipschitzet al. employed for the assessment of diuretic activity by using metabolic cage. The animals randomly divided into four groups- Group 1 (Normal), Group 2 (Standardfurosemide10 mg/kg, p.o.), Group 3 (aqueous extract 250 mg/kg, p.o.) and Group 4 (aqueous extract 500 mg/kg, p.o.) The diuretic effect was assessed by measuring total urine volume and the concentration of sodium, potassium and chloride ions in the urine. Results: The extract significantly increased urine volume and electrolyte concentration in urine when compared with normal group. Conclusion: That aqueous extract of dried leaves of Centella asiatica showed potential diuretic effect and can be used as a diuretic agent. Further studies are warranted to isolate the pure phyto-constituent responsible for diuretic activity.

Keywords: Centella asiatica, Aqueous extract, Diuretic, Urine volume and Electrolyte concentration, Furosemide.