Effect of Aqueous Extract of Seeds of Lagenaria Siceraria on Urine Volume and Urinary Electrolytes in Swiss Albino Rats

Abstract

The present study was to see the effect of aqueous extract of seeds of Lagenaria siceraria (AELSS) on urine volume and electrolytes in swiss albino rats and to compare with standard drug Hydrochlorothiazide. Thirty male Swiss albino rats aged ten to twelve weeks of male sex weighing about 200-225 g were taken, and after acute toxicity studies two different doses were selected. The animals were divided into five different groups. The first group was kept as the control (Normal Saline) group I, second as the standard (Hydrochlorothiazide) group II and the remaining two groups as Test III and Test IV, and given different doses of the AELSS. Diuretic and Natriuretic activities were carried out by administration of normal saline along with the treatment modules. The volume of urine (in ml) and the Na + , K + and Clcontent in the urine were measured. The extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg, produced significant (P-values < 0.05) Saluretic, Natriuretic, increased potassium elimination and decreased urinary volume. Thus the study elucidates that aqueous extract of seeds of Lagenaria siceraria possess significant aquatic, Saluretic, Natriuretic activity.