European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Diuretics are the drugs that promote the excretion of water and electrolytes are highly useful in various diseases including those exhibiting edema such as congestive cardiac failure, kidney disorders, toxemia of pregnancy, premenstrual tension and hypertension. Aims:To evaluate the diuretic activity of aqueous seed extract of Hordeum Vulgare(AQSEHV) by Lipschitz method in albinorats.  Methods: Albino rats were divided into 5 groups. These 5 groups were  used to evaluate the diuretic activity of AQSEHV by using metabolic cages. The I group serves as normal control received vehicle (CMC 2% in normal saline), the II group Furosemide (10 mg/Kg, p.o) in vehicle; other groups III, IV and V were treated with low (100 mg/kg), medium (200 mg/kg), and high (400 mg/kg) doses of AQSEHV in vehicle. Immediately after the extract treatment all the rats were hydrated with saline (15 ml/kg,p.o) and placed in the metabolic cages (3 per cage), specially designed to separate urine and faeces, kept at 21°C±0.5°C.The total volume of urine collected was measured at the end of 5^th h. During this period, no food and water was made available to animals. Various parameters like total urine volume and concentration of Sodium , Potassium , Chloride ions in the urine were measured and estimated respectively.Results:  When compared to vehicle treated control group the AQSEHV at different dose levels (100,200 and 400 mg/kg) has significantly increased the urine volume and also enhanced the elimination of Sodium, Potassium and Chloride ions in urine.Conclusion :  Single dose administration of AQSEHV as 100, 200 and 400 mg/Kg and standard Frusemide (10 mg/kg b.wt) has significantly( p<0.05*, p<0.01^**, p<0.001***)  increased the urine output along with an increase in concentration of Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride. AQSEHV 400 mg/Kg produced a greater diuretic activity which is comparable to the effect of standard Furosemide (10 mg/kg).