Abstract

EVALUATION OF THE DIURETIC AND URINARY ELECTROLYTE EFFECTS OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF WHOLE PLANT OF GARDENIA GUMMIFERA

Syeda Nishat Fathima*

Abstract

Diuretics are the agents which increase the rate of urine flow and sodium excretion and are used to adjust the volume and/or composition of body fluids in a variety of clinical situations, including hypertension, heart failure, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis. These agents were widely explored in Indian ancient system of medicine. The numerous diuretic plants with their active phytoconstituents have been explored. The present study was carried out to investigate the diuretic activity of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Gardenia gummifera. Lipschitz test in Wistar rats was used to evaluate diuretic effect of ethanolic extract of Gardenia gummifera with furosemide as a standard and normal saline as control. The urine volume (in mL) measured at 5 h. The urine volume and urinary electrolyte excretion (Na+ and K+) were found to be significantly higher in rats treated with Gardenia gummifera as compared to normal rats. This present study indicates that Ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Gardenia gummifera has potential diuretic and naturetic property.

Keywords: Gardenia gummifera, Lipschitz test, diuretic activity, urine volume.