POTENTIAL DIURETIC EFFECT OF CURCUMA AMADA ROXB. RHIZOME EXTRACTS

The present study was undertaken to establish the diuretic activity of alcoholic and aqueous extract of dried rhizomes of Curcuma amada Roxb in rats. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of rhizomes were administered to experimental male Wistar rats orally at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg and compared with furosemide (10 mg/kg) as the reference standard. The parameters measured for diuretic activity were total urine volume, urine electrolyte concentration such as sodium, potassium and chloride have been evaluated. The rats treated with alcoholic and aqueous extract of Curcuma amada in a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg showed higher urine output when compared to the respective control. Both alcoholic and aqueous extracts have showed a significant dose-dependent increase in the excretion of electrolytes when compared to the control group. The result indicates that alcoholic and aqueous extract is an effective natriuretic and kaliuretic diuretic, which supports the traditional claim about the Curcuma amada Roxb being used as diuretics.