Diuretic Activity of Some Known Medicinal Plants: A Review

ABSTRACTDiuretics are one of the important class of drugs, act within the kidney and promote the loss of fluid from the body. Mechanism behind diuretics is compound interfere with the reabsorption of electrolytes their by promote sodium, potassium, chloride excretion in the body. Now adays herbal medicine use becoming popular due to toxicity and side effects of allopathic medicines. Diuretic activity study mainly conducted in animals. Most commonly preferred in vivo method is Lipschitz method. Rats or mice are the most commonly used animals. Diuretic activity study concluded that majority of plant extract possess diuretic activity similar to standard drugs like furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide. Diuretic activity determined by measuring urine volume, osmolarity, concentration of electrolytes, and pH. This review summarizes the herbal medicine used as diuretics and their botanical characteristics, ethnobotany, distribution and diuretic activity study. This review provide knowledge regarding surrounding herbal medicine used as diuretic and their significance in quality of life. Keywords: Diuretics, Herbs, Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Diuretic activity