Diuretic activitity of the roots of Flacourtia indica

Plan:The present study was carried out to investigate the diuretic activity of the ethanolic extract of roots of Flacourtia indica (Flacourtiaceae). Prologue: It is a popular drug used to treat many diseases in Indian traditional medicine. In order to substantiate the traditional uses of the drug the scientific study of diuretic activity was undertaken by us. Methodology: Air dried; powdered roots of Flacourtia indica were defatted with petroleum ether first and subsequently extracted with 90% alcohol. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, phenolic compounds and terpenoids. The diuretic activity of ethanolic extract was evaluated by determining the urine volume and electrolyte concentration in albino rats. Frusemide (10 mg/kg) was used as standard while normal saline (0.9%) was used as control. Ethanolic extract of the drug (250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg) were used as tests. Outcome: The ethanolic extract (500 mg/kg) showed significant increase in urine volume as well as Na + , K + and Cl - ion concentration in albino rats.