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ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL DIURETICS OVER SYNTHETIC DIURETICS AS A PART OF TREATMENT

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ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL DIURETICS OVER SYNTHETIC
DIURETICS AS A PART OF TREATMENT
Sameer A. Hedaoo1* and Dr. Mitali M. Bodhankar2
Student1, Associate Professor2
Gurunanak College of Pharmacy, Dixit Nagar, Kampttee Road, Nagpur-440026.
ABSTRACT
Diuretics, in one form or another, have been around for centuries and
this review sets out to chart their development and clinical use. Starting
with the physiology of the kidney, it progresses to explain how
diuretics actually work, via symports on the inside of the renal tubules.
The different classes of diuretics are characterized, along with their
mode of action. The clinical use of diuretics in conditions like
congestive cardiac failure and hypertension. An account of the adverse
effects of synthetic diuretics is given along with benefits of natural
diuretics over synthetic. Common adverse effects like hypokalaemia
and hyponatraemia are prevalent. Medicinal herbs are the significant
source as Diuretics. There exist a large number of studies which supports the diuretic effects
of traditional herbal medicines. This article reviews the various herbal plants used
traditionally as diuretics and chemical constituent of the plant promoting diuresis. This work
may mark an important milestone for the researchers in the selection of medicinal plant for
carrying their work on diuretics.
KEYWORDS: Natural Diuretics, Herbal Diuretics, Benefits of Natural Diuretics.
INTRODUCTION
The word diuretic has a Greek stem, Diu (through) ovpein (to urinate), and a diuretic is
defined as any substance that increases urine flow and thereby water excretion. Diuretics are
among the most commonly used drugs .They act by reducing sodium chloride reabsorption at
different sites in the nephron, thereby increasing urinary sodium, and consequently, water
loss. Paintings found in the ruins of Pompeii have depictions of grapes, ivy, olives and sweet
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
SJIF Impact Factor 7.421
Volume 8, Issue 3, 310-327 Review Article ISSN 2278 4357
*Corresponding Author
Sameer A. Hedaoo
Student, Gurunanak College
of Pharmacy, Dixit Nagar,
Kampttee Road, Nagpur-
440026.
Article Received on
28 Dec. 2018,
Revised on 19 Jan. 2019,
Accepted on 10 Feb. 2019
DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20193-13240
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cherry all of these have diuretic properties described in the writing of Pliny the Elder
(23-79 AD).
A treatise published in 1788 by Joseph Plenick (17351807) lists several hundred plants, of
which 115 have diuretic properties, including garlic, Chinese lantern, saffron, fennel,
liquorice, sassafras and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The latter derives its name from
the French „dent de lion‟ (tooth of the lion) on account of the shape of its leaves which impart
its diuretic property probably because of that it is commonly called, in French, „pissenlit‟,
literally „piss in bed‟. Its diuretic properties are thought to be due to potash (potassium
carbonate, K2CO3). From 1919 until the 1960s, the most effective diuretics, used as the
mainstay of treatment, were the mercurials, but they are no longer used because of their
toxicity. Other options during this period were osmotic diuretics like urea, mannitol and
sucrose, acidifying salts such as ammonium chloride, xanthine derivatives and digoxin, which
has a diuretic effect in addition to its inotropic effect.
In 1937, Southworth realized that patients treated with the antibiotic sulphanilamide not only
breathed deeply (they developed a mild metabolic acidaemia) but also produced an alkaline
urine, with increased sodium and water excretion. Sulphanilamide was found to be a carbonic
anhydrase inhibitor and by 1949, Schwartz had successfully treated congestive heart failure
patients with sulphanilamide. Karl Beyer, having heard of Schwartz‟s clinical success, began
searching for and testing a range of sulphanilamide-like agents on animals. Substitution of a
carboxy group for the aromatic amino group of sulphanilamide generated carboxy benzene
sulphonamide (CBS), also a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that increased sodium and chloride
excretion. Introducing a second sulphamoyl group meta- to the first was found to increase
potency, and exploration of substituted disulphamoylbenzene analogues finally led to the
discovery of 6-chloro-2H-1, 2, 4-benzothiadiazine-7-sulphonamide-1, 1- dioxide
(chlorothiazide), the first thiazide diuretic. It was because the original compounds were
benzothiadiazine derivative that this class of diuretics became known as Annals of Clinical
Biochemistry 2012; 49: 419431 thiazide diuretics. Later compounds that were
pharmacologically similar to thiazide diuretics but were not thiazides appeared, and acquired
the name „thiazide-like‟ diuretics, many being heterocyclic compounds like metolazone.
The British National Formulary (BNF) currently lists individual diuretics available for use in
the UK but the original one, chlorothiazide, is not among them, although its
derivatives,hydrochlorothiazide and benzothiazide, do feature in combination preparations.
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They are grouped into familiar categories thiazides, loop diuretics (also known as high
ceiling diuretics), potassium-sparing, osmotic and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. This review
elaborates on each of these and some miscellaneous compounds (caffeine, alcohol and water),
and finally discusses some exciting recent developments.
Fig. 1: Diagram of the renal tubule showing principal site of diuretic action.
Role of Kidney in Water Homeostasis: Renal tubular reabsorption of filtered water occurs
by osmosis, and, since the glomerular filtrate is essentially isoosmotic, depends on sodium
reabsorption to create an osmotic gradient. After formation of a plasma ultrafiltrate in the
glomerulus, the tubular fluid enters the proximal convoluted tubule, where specific
transporters reabsorb sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, glucose and amino acids. About 60% of
the water and most of the organic solutes are also reabsorbed in the proximal tubule. At the
boundary between the inner and outer stripes of the outer medulla, the thin descending limb
of the loop of Henle´ begins.
The thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle´ actively reabsorbs sodium and chloride from
the lumen (about 35% of the filtered sodium), but unlike the proximal tubule and the
descending limb, it is virtually impermeable to water. Sodium chloride reabsorption in the
thick ascending limb effectively dilutes the tubular fluid, so this segment is called the
„diluting segment.‟ The loop of Henle´ therefore acts as a countercurrent multiplier producing
a gradient of hyperosmolarity in the medullary interstitium. In the distal convoluted tubule,
which connects with the diluting segment, around 10% of filtered sodium chloride is
reabsorbed. Like the thick ascending limb, the membrane is relatively impermeable to water,
so further tubular fluid dilution ensues.
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The final arbiter of urine composition is the collecting duct, where 25% of sodium chloride
reabsorption occurs. Importantly, this is where mineralocorticoids exert their influence,
especially aldosterone. Sodium is reabsorbed in exchange for potassium under the influence
of aldosterone and it is here that almost all diuretic-induced changes in potassium balance
occur. Water is reabsorbed through the action of the posterior pituitary hormone vasopressin
(also known as antidiuretic hormone [ADH], although vasopressin is the preferred term) and
the final urine to enter the renal pelvis is diluted or concentrated, achieved by the
countercurrent mechanism that creates a concentration gradient from 50 mOsm/kg at the
outer cortex to 1200 mOsm/kg at the inner medulla.[1]
Definition: Diuretics are the drug which increases the rate of urine formation together with
natriuresis. Diuretic are used to adjust volume and/or composition of body fluids in a variety
of clinical situation, including hypertention, heart failure, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome
and cirrhosis.[2]
Mechanism of Diuretics: Most diuretics exert their action by decreasing renal tubular
sodium reabsorption, thereby reducing the luminal-cellular osmotic gradient, which limits
water reabsorption and results in a diuresis. With the sole exception of spironolactone and its
analogue, all the transporters that they inhibit are on the luminal surface of the tubule, so the
diureticagents have to actually „get there‟ in order to block the symport or uniport transporter.
This means they have to be secreted into the tubular fluid and arrive at their target destination
in sufficient concentration to be useful. The process involves facilitated diffusion and in the
case of loop diuretics, thiazides and the carbonic anhydrase inhibitoracetazolamide, all of
which are acidic, secretion into the tubular fluid, through the organic acid pathway in the
proximal tubule. Amiloride and triamterene, being organicbases, enter the tubular lumen via
the organic base secretory mechanism, also in the proximal tubule. Spironolactone and other
aldosterone antagonists act via a cytosolic receptor and so are delivered to their target area
via the blood and the basolateral membrane. If the diuretic is very highly protein bound
(96%), then glomerular filtration is limited. Even in hypoalbuminuria, there is not enough
„free‟ drug at one time to get across.Other considerations apply as well and these will
beexamined separately, with the diuretic or disease that influences it.
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Classification of Diuretics
1. High Ceiling/Loop Diuretics: High ceiling diuretics may cause a substantial diuresis up
to 20% of the filtered load of NaCl (salt) and water. This is large in comparison to normal
renal sodium reabsorption which leaves only about 0.4% of filtered sodium in the urine. Loop
diuretics have this ability, and are therefore often synonymous with high ceiling diuretics.
Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, inhibit the body's ability to reabsorb sodium at the
ascending loop in the nephron, which leads to an excretion of water in the urine, whereas
water normally follows sodium back into the extracellular fluid. Other examples of high
ceiling loop diuretics include ethacrynic acid and torsemide.[3]
Uses
1. Edema.
2. Acute pulmonary edema.
3. Cerebral edema.
4. Hypertension.
5. Hypercalcaemia of malignancy.[4]
Adverse Effects
1. Hypokalaemia.
2. Hypomagnesemia.
3. Dilutional hyponatraemia.
4. Hyperglycemia.
5. Hypovolemia.
6. Hypercholesterolemia.[5]
Drug Interaction
1. Loop diuretics may enhance digitalis toxicity and can cause cardiac irregularities due to
hypokalaemia.
2. Serum lithium levels may rise with loop diuretic therapy as they increase the reabsorption
of Li+ from the proximal tubule.
3. Loop diuretics and aminoglycoside antibiotics exhibit additive ototoxisity and should not
be used together.
4. Indomethacin and most NSAIDs, by inhibiting PGE2and PGI2synthesis, diminish the
action of high ceiling diuretics.
6. Cotrimoxazole with loop diuretics increases the chances of thrombocytopenia.[6]
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2. Thiazide Diuretics: Thiazide type diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide act on the distal
convoluted tubule and inhibit the sodium-chloride symporter leading to retention of water in
urine, as water normally follows penetration solutes. Frequent urination is due to the
increased loss of water that has not been retained from the convoluted tubule. The short-
term antihypertensive action is based on the fact that thiazides decrease preload, decreasing
blood pressure. On the other hand, the long-term effect is due to an unknown vasodilator
effect that decreases blood pressure by decreasing resistance.
Uses
1. Edema.
2. Hypertension.
3. Diabetes insipidus.
4. Hypercalciuria.[7]
Adverse Effects
1. Allergic manifestations.
2. Hyperuricaemia.
3. Hyperglycaemia and Hyperlipidemia.
4. Hypocalcaemia.
5. Magnesium depletion.
Druginteraction
1. Thiazides potentiate all other antihypertensives. This interaction is intentionally employed
in therapeutics.
2. Hypokalaemia induced by these diuretics;
Enhances digitalis toxicity.
Increases risk of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia due to drugs which prolong Q-T
interval.
Reduces sulfonylurea action.
3. Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
They inhibit the enzyme carbonic anhydrase which is found in the proximal convoluted
tubule. This results in several effects including bicarbonate accumulation in the urine and
decreased sodium absorption. Drugs in the class include acetazolamide and methazolamide.
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Uses
1. Glaucoma.
2. To alkalinise urine.
3. Epilepsy.
4. Acute mountain sickness.
5. Periodic paralysis.
Adsverse Effects
1. Acidosis.
2. Hypokalaemia.
3. Drowsiness.
4. Fatigue.
5. Abdominal discomfort.
6. Hypersensitivity reactions-fever, rashes.
Drug Intraction
1. On the contrary, CA inhibitors decrease the reabsorption of some acidic drugs (e.g. aspirin,
Phenobarbital), thus promoting their excretion.
2. By alkalinizing the tubular fluid, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors promote tubular
reabsorption of basic drugs, such as amphetamine and its congeners, thus delaying their
eliminaition.
4. Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
These are diuretics which do not promote the secretion of potassium into the urine; thus,
potassium is retained and not lost as much as with other diuretics. The term “potassium-
sparing” refers to an effect rather than a mechanism or location; nonetheless, the term almost
always refers to two specific classes that have their effect at similar locations.
Aldosterone antagonists
Spironolactone, which is a competitive antagonist of aldosterone. Aldoterone normally adds
sodium channels in the principal cells of the collecting duct and late distal tubule of the
nephron. Spironolactone prevents aldosterone from entering the principal cells, preventing
sodium reabsorption. Similar agent‟s eplerenone and potassium canreonate.
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Epithelial sodium channel blockers
Eg: Amiloride and triamterene.
Uses
1. To treat oedematous conditions including liver cirrhosis
2. Combined with thiazides, they can be used to treat refractory oedema.
3. In combination with thiazides or loop diuretics they are used to treat hypertension.
Adverse Effect
1. Hyperkalaemia.
2. Triamterene causes Rise in blood urea, nausea, dizziness and muscle cramps.
Drag Interaction
1. Potassium supplements and ACE inhibitors.
2. NASIDs can decrease the effect of these agents.
3. Quinidine with amiloride may increase the risk of arrhythmias.
5. Osmotics Diuretics
Osmotic diuretics (e.g. mannitol) are substances that increase osmolality but have limited
tubular epithelial cell permeability. They work primarily by expanding extracellular fluid and
plasma volume, therefore increasing blood flow to the kidney, particularly the peritubular
capillaries. These reduses medullary osmolality and thus impairs the concentration of urine in
the loop of henle. Furthermore, the limited tubular epithelial cell permeability increases
osmolality and thus water retention in the filtrate. It was previously believed that the primary
mechanism of osmotic diuretics such as mannitol is that they are filtered in the glomerulus,
but cannot be reabsorbed. Thus their presence leads to an increase in the osmolarity of the
filtrate and to maintain osmotic balance, water is retained in the urine.
Uses
1. Barbiturate poisoning.
2. Threatened acute renal failure.
3. Cerebral edema
4. Raised intraocular pressure.[8]
Adverse Effects
1. It can cause headache, nausea, chills, polydipsia, confusion and pain in chest.
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2. Exessive amount of mannitol can cause cellular dehydration; pulmonary edema in patient
with CHF and hyponatremia.
Drug Interaction
1. All osmotic diuretics are not used in case of anuria and heart failure, as they may cause EC
volume expansion; overload of heart, and thereby, pulmonary edema.
2. Urea is not used in hepatic cirrhosis. At high concentration, urea inhibits arginase and
thereby impairs the elimination of NH3 in urea cycle.
3. Glycerin is not used in diabetes mellitus.
4. Urea and mannitol are not used in intracranial hemorrhage.
Table. Diuretics Currently Licensed for Use in The Uk.
Sr. No.
Class of diuretics
1.
Thiazide and related diuretics
2.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
3.
Loop diuretics
4.
Osmotic diuretics
5.
Potassium-sparing diuretics
6.
Potassium-sparing diuretics and aldosterone antagonists
Natural Diuretics: In the race to find a cure for water retention, many individuals are turning
to natural solutions and diuretics. Designed to release excess fluid from the body, water pills
and diuretics teas can help to temporarily alleviate water retention problems.
What are Natural Diuretics?
There are huge numbers of diuretics available to treat water retention problems. Traditional
western doctors will prescribe a water pill or synthetic medication to treat the problems.
Many man-made substances can be rough on the body because they are not designed to work
with the way that the body naturally functions. Instead, naturopaths, Chinese traditional
doctors and herbalists tend to prescribe plant-based solutions. This may come in the form of
pill, tincture or herbal tea. Natural diuretics are any medication or tea that is made from plant
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or substance found in nature. Basically, any medication that is not man-made is normally
considered natural.
How Can Natural Diuretics Help Water Retention?
Diuretics are desiged to reduce the amount of water or fluid in the body. This is done by
encouraging the kidneys to send more fluid to the bladder. Ultimately, this water is released
within the urine. In case of high blood pressure, a natural diuretic can remove the fluid and
the pain associate with it. When the water retention caused by temporary sources like diet or
premenstrual syndrome.[9]
Some of The Natural Diuretics are Given Below Which are Used in the Treatment of
Various Water Retention Problems
1. Black tea: It consist of dried or fresh leaves of plant Camellia sinensis belonging to family
Theaceae.[10] Tea has been cultivated from time immemorial in China and Japan, and more
recently in Assam, Ceylon, Java, etc. The chief pharmaceutical use of tea is a source of
caffeinewhich has a marked stimulant action on nervous system and heart, relaxes smooth
muscle in the airways to the lungs (bronchioles), stimulates the heart, and act on the kidney as
a diuretic but less powerfully so than theobromine.[11] In the preparation of black tea, four
principal operation are involved: - (a) withering (b) rolling (c) fermenting (d) drying.[12] One
cup of tea contains approximately 50 mg of caffeine, depending on the strength and size of
cup. Caffeine only has a diuretic effect at levels higher than 400-600 mg a day. This is
equivalent to six or seven cups of tea at one sitting.
Black tea has been used by Sri Lankan traditional practitioners to promote dieresis.[13] Oral
diuretic activity of hot water infusion of Sri Lankan black tea is already performed in rats.
This study investigates the diuretic activity of black tea infusion (BTI) in rats using Broken
Orange Pekoe Fannings (BOPF) grade from major agroclimatic elevations: high-, mild-, and
low-grown. Different concentrations of BTI, furosemide (positive control), and water
(vehicle) were orally administered to starved (18 h) male rats (n=9/group), then hydrated.
Acute and chronic (28 days) diuretic activities were assessed by measuring cumulative urine
output at hourly intervals for 6h. Electrolyte levels, pH, osmolarity of urine, and glomerular
filteration rate of treated rats were determined.
The result showed that the diuretic activity had a rapid onset (1st h), peaked at 2nd h and
maintained up to 4th h (except the low dose).Therefore, the Sri Lankan BOPF grade black tea
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possesses mild oral diuretic activity whose efficacy differs with the agroclimatic elevation of
production. Furthermore, it supports the traditional claim that the black tea acts as a
diuretic.[14]
Black tea
2. Coriander: Coriander consists of dried, nearly ripe fruits of Coriandrum sativum Linn,
belonging to family Umbelliferae.[15] Coriander is probably indigenous to the eastern
Mediterranean countries where it is found a common field weed. The plant is widely
cultivated in India, Egypt, Morocco, Holland, Argentina, Eastern Europe, China, Russia and
Bangladesh.[16] It is a popular herb often used fresh or dried for flavor and spice in cooking.
Coriander has a lemony and nutty flavor. Its seeds can be crushed or sauteed whole for use in
dishes like Thai curries. Alternatively, its leaves can be tossed in cooked dishes such as rice.
One study looked at the use of coriander seeds as a diuretic. After infusing the liquid
coriander extract (through the veins of rats), the researchers found that the mechanism of the
plant is similar to that of medications like Furosemide. A similar study using the extract
found diuretic properties as well as lowered blood pressure in various animals.
Medicinal properties as mentioned in ancient literature
Which says that, “The fruits are aromatic, bitter, sweet, acrid, astringent, emollient,
thermogenic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, stomachic, carminative, digestive, appetizer,
constipating, diuretic, antipyretic, stimulant, expectorant and anodyne.[17]
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Coriander
3. Fennel: Fennel is an herb that originated in the mediterranean and grows wild in part of
Europe and India. Fennel is obtained from the plant Foeniculum vulgare belonging to the
family Apiaceae. Its bulb, seeds and greens are edible, and the roots and seeds may have
diuretic properties. Fennel offers an anise or licorice flavor and is often roasted and used in
pasta dishes, soups or for baking bread.
A 2014 study showed a significant diuretic effect in mice from liquid fennel extract at dose of
500 mg per kilogram. The urine elimination was double that of the control group.
Medicinal properties as mentioned in ancient literature
Which says that, “The fruits are sweet, acrid, bitter, emollient, refrigerent, alexipharmic,
expectorant, haematinic, opthalmic, intellect-promoting, anthelmintic, carminative, digestive,
stomachic, stimulant, diuretic and tonic.[18]
Fennel
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4. Dandelion: Dandelion leaves have been used in traditional medicine around the world
from the plant Taraxacum officinale belonging to family Asteraceae. Its leaves, roots and
flower are considered safe to eat and are high in potassium. The taste of dandelion is earthy
and bitter. Its greens can be sauteed like kale, tossed in salad or cooked and added to a soup
or herbal tea. Additionally, the extract, taken from the leaf, can be consumed as a capsule or
in liquid form. One study of 28 women found a significant increase in urine after drinking 8
ml of liquid leaf extract.
Result found that it acted as a quick and useful natural diuretic.
Medicinal properties as mentioned in ancient literature
Which says that, “The dandelion is bitter, acrid, thermogenic, vulnerary, digestive, diuretic,
anthelmintic, liver tonic, febrifuge, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, stimulant and tonic.[19]
Dandelion flower
5. Radish
It consists of dried seeds and leaves of Raphanus sativus belonging to family Cruciferae. It is
cultivated in many temperate and warmer countries, cultivated all over India upto 5000 m of
height. It is commonly known as Muli. Leaves, roots and seeds are used for medicinal
purposes.
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Medicinal properties as mentioned in ancient literature
Which says that, “Radish is pungent, hot in potency, helps in taste, is digestive, mitigates all
three doshes, good for voice, cures fever, dyspnoea, diseases of throat and eyes. Seeds and
leaves are diuretic, laxative and lithnotriptic; seeds are also believed to posses emmenagogue
properties. Juice of fresh roots is considered to be powerfully antiscorbutic.”
Raphanus Sativus linn (Muli)
6. Melon: It consists of dried fruits of Cucumis melo belonging to family Cucurbitaceae. It is
commonly known as Kharbuja. Roots pulp and seeds are used for medicinal purposes.
Medicinal properties as mentioned in ancient literature
Which says that, “Melon is diuretic, hard for for digestion, unctuous, very sweet, cold in
potency, aphrodisiac, mitigates pitta and vata, produces bleeding disease and dysurea
especially. Fruits juice and pulp are cooling, nutritive, demulcent and diuretic. Root is
purgative.”
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Cucumis melo linn whole plant
7. Italian millet: It consists of dried stalk and grains of Setania italica belonging to family
Poaceae. It is a minor grain crop, widely cultivated throughout India, especial in Maharashtra
and Gujarat. It is commonly known as Kanguni. Stalks and grains are used for medicinal
purposes.
The medicinal properties as mentioned in ancient literature:
Which says that, “Italian millet unites the broken tones, aggravates vata, stoutens the body, is
hard to digest, causes dryness and mitigates kapha greatly; is diuretic and astringent”.[20]
Italian millet
8. Horse gram
It consists of dried seeds of Dolichos biflorus, an annual, branched, sub-erect or twining herb,
belonging to family Leguminosae. It is found all over India, and popularly known as Kulti,
propagated by seeds and vegetative method. Seeds are used for medicinal purposes.
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The medicinal properties as mentioned in ancient literature
Which says that, horse gram is pungent after digestion, astringent, diuretic, tonic produces
disorder of pitta and rakta, hot in potency, mitigates dyspnoea, cough, disorder of kapha, vata,
renal calculi, seminal stones, flatulence, rhinitis, cause perspiration, reduce fat, cures fever”.
Horse gram seeds
Dosage Form: It is one of the ingredients of the preparation known as Neeri syrup (Aimil
Pharmaceuticals).[21]
Oral dosage form of Horse gram
CONCLUSION
The above information is an attempt to provide an overview of the current knowledge
surrounding the use of herbal medicines as diuretics. In modern day to day practice diuretics
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can be used as a first line therapy in hypertensive patients. Herbal medicines are in great
demand in the developed as well as in the developing countries for primary health care
because of their wide biological and medicinal activities, higher safety margins and lesser
costs.
The information has included the botanical characteristics of the plant which helps in
identification of the plant, Ethnobotany which give traditional use of the plant, and the
reported activities of the plant. Synthetic diuretics used in allopathic treatment of medicines
are a part of many kidney diseases, hypertension and other related diseases but they were
severe side effects and contraindication regarding the use of these drugs. Nowadays world is
getting attention for natural remedies. Natural herbs are helpful in the development of future
medicines and treatments. The therapeutic effects of these natural remedies may be less
pronounced at times than synthetic drugs, but the probability of adverse symptoms to
minimum. By this information, it can be concluded that in the core of the nature there are so
many plants which possess potent diuretic activity. Herbal medications are free from side
effects and toxicity unlike the synthetic ones. So theses natural actives can be easily and
safely replaced as diuretics as a part of treatment.
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... Conversely, natural diuretics particularly veggies and fruits are high in water and potassium (and some in magnesium and calcium) which help to offset the constriction of blood vessels that makes one feel bloated in case of excess sodium [85,86]. Furthermore, natural diuretics have been used in treatment of swelling and rheumatism as well as some have properties of reducing uric acid in the body [87]. ...
... In this study 40% (32 species) of MPs were found to be used as diuretic agents and the respondents agreed on the use at ICF of 0.627. From these diuretic plants, 59 [85,86]. In addition, mixture of herbal decoction and meat broth or stock, and decoction of MPs were the most commonly used preparations. ...
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Background: Flora used by Maasai practitioners (MSPs) in traditional medicine (TM) and food system (FS) were investigated in Monduli District, Arusha, Tanzania. The objective of this study was to document the knowledge on flora used by MSPs in their FS and TM against gout-related and other ailments. Methods: Ethnobotanical knowledge held by 21 MSPs was investigated following standard approaches. Guided field walk, free listing, rigorous individual-interviews and local market surveys were employed to obtain information. Use value (UV) index, relative frequency of citation (RFC), specific RFC (RFCs), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factors (ICF) matrices were involved to determine the knowledge on flora used in Maasai FS and TM against gout-related and other ailments. Results: A total of 101 plant species in 83 genera and 47 families, used in Maasai FS and TM were recorded. Food, food processing or storage, and medicinal plant (MPs) flora accounted 29, 32 and 80 species respectively. MPs treated more than 38 ailments. A high proportion of plants recovered, was trees 45.19%; while 88.79% were retrieved from the wild habitat. Roots were mostly used part (30.73%); preparations were made from fresh or dry material and 44-species involved decoction in meat broth or stock. The frequently route of delivery was oral, 85.19%. About 37.5% of the MPs were used to treat joints’ pain or inflammation (ICF = 0.52) whereas, mostly used was Rapanea melanophloeos (FL = 1.00; RFCs = 0.29) followed by Withania somnifera (FL = 0.5; RFCs = 0.24). Withania somnifera frequently used against other gout-related ailments. Vangueria infausta and Olea europaea subsp. Africana uses in FS ranked the highest. Conclusion: The study area is very rich in flora biodiversity, and the flora is an integral part of the indigenous foods’ and health care systems. The flora is exposed to various destructive anthropogenic activities; thus, integrated conservation measures are required. The rich ethnobotanical knowledge held by MSPs, requires an in-depth study and documentation. Investigations of flora used in the FS, and TM, with high FL, and RFCs could contribute to future nutraceuticals and drug discovery against gout and other ailments.
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Purpose To evaluate the diuretic effects of aqueous (AQ) and hydromethanolic crude extract (HM) the as well as the solvent fractions of the HM extract from Erica arborea flowers in mice. Methods Mice were administered AQ and HM crude extracts, along with solvent fractions of HM extracts of E. arborea flowers, including HXF (n-hexane fraction), EAF (ethyl acetate fraction), and AQF (aqueous fraction), at doses ranging from 100 to 400 mg/kg orally. The effects of these extracts and solvent fractions on urine and salt excretion over 5 hours were compared to the effects of the solvent used for reconstitution and a standard drug (furosemide 10 mg/kg), as well as to each other. Results The HM crude extract at a lower dose (100 mg/kg) significantly increased urine volume and salt excretion starting from the 3rd h compared to the AQ crude extract. Similar effects were observed for EAF. Notably, the HM extract and its EAF at 400 mg/kg showed comparable urine and salt excretion profiles to the standard drug. Conclusion This study demonstrated that HM extract and EAF promote better diuresis, likely due to their saluretic properties. Furthermore, it confirms the diuretic activity of Erica arborea flowers.
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Full-text available
The traveler's tree, Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn., is widely used in traditional medicine, but there is little evidence of its effect on biochemical and morpho-physiological variables in experimental animals. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of the oral administration of the ethanolic extract of R. madagascariensis leaves on biochemical and morpho-physiological parameters in healthy Wistar rats. The extract was obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. Two experimental groups of three Wistar rats each were randomly formed: Control Group=treatment with water (vehicle); Treated Group=dry ethanolic extract of R. madagascariensis (400 mg / kg body weight) dissolved in water. The extract was administered daily in drinking water for three days and individually for each animal. Parameters such as weight, glycemia, food consumption, excreted urine, urinary parameters, blood pressure, blood volume in the tail, blood flow, body temperature and heart rate were determined. An analysis of behavior and clinical signs was carried out. Each organ was externally examined. The administration of the extract significantly increased urine excretion and did not modify the rest of the determined parameters. It constitutes the first contribution in Cuba to support the therapeutic use of R. madagascariensis on a scientific basis.
Article
Black tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (family: Theaceae)] has been used by Sri Lankan traditional practitioners to promote diuresis. However, the type and grade of tea is not specified. THIS STUDY INVESTIGATES THE DIURETIC ACTIVITY OF BLACK TEA INFUSION (BTI) IN RATS USING BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE FANNINGS (BOPF) GRADE FROM MAJOR AGROCLIMATIC ELEVATIONS: high-, mid-, and low-grown. Different concentrations of BTI, furosemide (positive control), and water (vehicle) were orally administered to starved (18 h) male rats (n = 9/group), then hydrated. Acute and chronic (28 days) diuretic activities were assessed by measuring cumulative urine output at hourly intervals for 6 h. Electrolyte levels (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), H(+), Cl(-), HCO(3) (-)), pH, osmolarity of urine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of treated rats were determined. Administration of BTI induced a significant (P < 0.05) and dose-dependent diuretic activity, which varied with the tea produced in different agroclimatic elevations. Diuretic activity had a rapid onset (1(st) h), peaked at 2(nd) h and maintained up to 4(th) h (except the low dose). Furthermore, there was a dose-dependent increase in micturition frequency, which peaked at 2(nd) h. A close association between the caffeine content of tea and diuretic activity was evident. BTI-induced diuresis was accompanied with an increased urine Na(+) level and GFR. The diuretic activity of BTI was mediated via multiple mechanisms: inhibition of both aldosterone secretion (with increased Na(+)/K(+) ratio) and carbonic anhydrase [with decreased Cl(-)/(Na(+) + K(+)) ratio] and via thiazide type of diuretic action (evaluated with increased Na(+)/Cl(-) ratio). The Sri Lankan BOPF grade black tea possesses mild oral diuretic activity whose efficacy differs with the agroclimatic elevation of production. Furthermore, it supports the traditional claim that the black tea acts as a diuretic.
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