Evaluation of Diuretic Effect of the Hot Water Extract of Standardized Tragia involucrata Linn., in Rats

Background: Medicinal plants have become a significant source of diuretics due to the increased side effects of diuretic drugs used in modern medicine practice. Tragia involucrata Linn. (Family: Euphorbiaceae) is such a source as it is being used as a diuretic in traditional medicine. Objective: To evaluate the diuretic activity of hot water extract of T. involucrata (TWE) made out of the whole plant. Materials and Methods: Different concentrations of TWE (550, 1100, 1650 and 2200 mg kg(-1)), distilled water, furosemide (13 mg kgG1) were orally administered (N = 6) to fasted (18 h) male Wistar rats and the urine output was monitored hourly for 5 h. Sodium and potassium content, pH, specific gravity of urine from TWE treated rats were compared with that of the controls. Preliminary phytochemical screening and standardization parameters were also evaluated in T. involucrata. Results: Urine output was significantly (p<0.05) increased when increasing the dose of TWE and maximum diuresis was observed at a dose of 1650 mg kg(-1). Onset of diuresis was within 1 h and showed maximum activity and diuretic activity declined with time. Rats treated with 1650 and 2200 mg kg(-1) doses of TWE were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the reference drug at 1 h. Furthermore, TWE caused marked increase in urinary Na+ and K+ levels and reduction in pH of urine suggesting that it mainly acts as a loop diuretic. Conclusion: The TWE exhibits significant (p<0.05) diuretic activity in rats and it acts similar to that of a loop diuretic. In addition, the generated information of the present study provides data which will help the correct identification and authentication of this medicinal plant, which may help in preventing adulteration.