Antioxidant and Diuretic Activity of Nardostachys Jatamansi Dc Roots

The aim of present study was to investigate the In-vitro anti-oxidant and In-vivo diuretic activity of Ethyl acetate extract of Nardostachys jatamansi DC roots in rats. The preliminary phytochemical investigation was carried out to identify the various chemical constituents present in Ethyl acetate extract. In-vitro antioxidant activity was measured by using hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, reducing power assay, DPPH scavenging activity. Ethyl acetate extract of Nardostachys jatamansi DC roots administered in rats at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 500mg/kg, orally and compared with furosemide (20mg/Kg, intraperitoneally) as the standard. The diuretic effect of the extracts was evaluated by measuring urine volume, electrolyte concentration, pH, density, conductivity, saluretic index, diuretic index and carbonic anhydrase inhibition ratio. The results were analyzed by One Way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA). The results showed that ethyl acetate extract of Nardostachys jatamansi DC roots showed significant Anti-oxidant activity. Extract induced strong diuresis at higher doses and was not accompanied with a reduction in urinary K+ levels. Further, there was no alkalization of urine. Collectively, these observations suggest that the extract is not acting as potassium-sparing diuretics. Extract showed strong diuretic index, saluretic index, natriuretic index and weak carbonic anhydrase inhibition ratio. The findings concluded that Nardostachys jatamansi DC roots extract exhibit anti-oxidant and diuretic activity and further studies are suggested to isolate the active principles responsible for the activity.