PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF DIURETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC AND CHLOROFORM EXTRACTS OF MUSSAENDA ERYTHROPHYLLA IN RATS
The present study was undertaken to investigate diuretic effect of chloroform and Ethanolic Extracts of Mussaenda erythrophylla root in normal rats. Chloroform and Ethanolic extracts of Mussaenda erythrophylla roots were administered to experimental rats orally at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg p.o. Furosemide (10 mg/kg) was used as positive control in study. The diuretic effect of the extracts was evaluated by measuring urine volume, sodium and potassium content. Urine volume was significantly increased by the two doses of Chloroform and Ethanolic extracts in comparison to control group. While the excretion of sodium and potassium was increased by both extracts. The diuretic effect of the extracts was comparable to that of the reference standard (Furosemide). The Chloroform and Ethanolic extracts of Mussaenda erythrophylla root produced notable diuretic effect which appeared to be comparable to that produced by the reference diuretic Furosemide. The present study provides a quantitative basis for explaining the folkloric use of Mussaenda erythrophylla as a diuretic agent.