ABSTRACT:
Diuresis can be beneficial in removing toxins from the body. Globally traditional and folklore medicines plays a vital role in health care services. Plectranthus amboinicus belongs to Lamiaceae family is an Indian medicinal plant which has been utilized traditionally to treat various diseases. However, there is no systematic methodology for the use of Plectranthus amboinicus stem as a diuretic. Hence the present study is proposed to evaluate the diuretic activity of various solvent extract of Plectranthus amboinicus stem in the rat model. The acute toxicity study was performed in albino mice by fixed-dose method (OECD guidelines number 425) of CPCSEA. The diuretic activity was carried out using the Lipschitz method. The total urine volume collected in 24hours was observed. Sodium, potassium and chloride concentration in urine were also recorded. The ionic concentrations were recorded calorimetrically. Acute toxicity study proved no toxicity and mortality in any of the animal up to the dose of 2000mg/kg bodyweight. All three extracts of Plectranthus amboinicus have exhibited dose-dependent diuretic activity by increasing urine volume and excreting sodium ions in urine. The urine pH was also elevated. From the study, it can be concluded that the plant Plectranthus amboinicus could be considered as a diuretic agent. This current study encourages the use of this plant in folk medicine. Further study is required for isolation, characterization and formulation of the active constituents responsible for its diuretic activity.