Diuretic potential of aqueous extract of roots of Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad & Wendl, a preliminary study.

In traditional system of medicine S. xanthocarpum is used treating difficulty in urination and renal calculus. The objective of the present study was to scientifically evaluate diuretic potential of S. xanthocarpum. The study was divided into two phases of evaluation (acute and sub-acute) with administration of aqueous extract of S. xanthocarpum roots. The animals were treated with either aqueous extract of S. xanthocarpum (AqSX; 200, 400 mg/kg, po) or furosemide (25 mg/kg, po) or hydrochlorthiazide (HCTZ; 25 mg/kg, po). In acute study, the treated animals were observed for urine volume, urine pH, urine and serum electrolytes and creatinine after 6th and 24th h. While in sub-acute study observations for above mentioned parameters were done on day 1, day 7 and day 14. Diuretic index, natriuretic and saluretic potential were also calculated. The results indicated strong diuretic potential with AqSX (400 mg/kg). The diuretic prospective of AqSX was similar to furosemide without any type of toxicity based on the observations of serum electrolytes, serum creatinine and urine creatinine measurement. The findings support ethnobotanical use of S. xanthocarpum.