Diuretic activity of Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn

Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. is a well documented plant. The present study is done to establish the diuretic activity of the water-soluble portions of the ethanolic extracts of its flowers, barks, seeds and leaves. In toxicity study, the extracts were seen to be safe up to the dose of 2.0 gm/kg. For the estimation of diuretic activity, the parameters studied were total urine volume and urine concentration of Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-). The ethanolic extracts of different plant parts of Nyctanthes arbortristis L. possess significant diuretic activity as reflected by rise in urine volume with cation excretion. The ethanolic extracts of the seeds and leaves at their higher doses exhibited higher electrolyte excretion.