Diuretic activity of Trianthema portulacastrum crude extract in albino rats

Purpose: To evaluate the diuretic effect and acute toxicity of the crude aqueous extract of Trianthema portulacastrum in a rat model. Method: Albino rats were divided into five groups. Control group received normal saline (10 mg/kg), reference group received furosemide (10 mg/kg) and test groups were given different doses of crude extract (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal route. Urine was collected and the total volume of urine excreted was expressed as ml/6 hr/100 g body weight. Diuretic index and Lipschitz values were also calculated to make comparison with normal saline and furosemide treated groups, respectively. Results: Significant diuretic (p < 0.001), kaliuretic (p < 0.001) and natriuretic (p < 0.001) effects were observed in treated groups in a dose-dependent manner. Urinary pH remained mostly unchanged during the course of the study. Diuretic index showed good diuretic activity of the crude extract. Lipschitz values indicated that the crude extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg exhibited 79 % diuretic activity compared with that of the reference, furosemide. No lethal effects were observed among albino mice even at the high dose of 3000 mg/kg. Conclusion: The extract of Trianthema portulacastrum, particularly, at the dose of 50 mg/kg significantly increased the urinary volume and concentration of urinary electrolytes with no signs of toxicity and therefore, is a potential diuretic. Further studies, however, are required to isolate the active constituents.