Diuretic and Urolithiatic activity.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the Diuretic and antiurolithiatic activities of Ethanolic leaf extract of Sida Acuta in Albino rats. Ethanolic leaf extract was administered to experimental rats orally at doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg (each p.o). Furosemide (5mg/kg) was used as a standard. The diuretic effect of the extract was evaluated by measuring the urine volume and determining sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate contents. In In vitro antiurolithiatic activity Calcium oxalate crystallization was induced by the addition of 0.01M sodium oxalate solutions in synthetic urine. The effect of extract (100, 300 and 500μg/ml) was studied by time course measurement of absorbance. In-vivo Urolithiasis was induced in male rats by administering ethylene glycol (0.75%) in drinking water to groups II-V except normal control (Group I) for 28 days. Groups I, II and III served as normal control, positive control (hyperurolithiatic), and standard (cystone 750mg/kg), respectively, Groups IV and V served as curative regimen. Oxalate, calcium, phosphate were monitored in urine. Serum calcium, creatinine and uric acid were also recorded. The extract of Sida acuta was safe and exhibited no gross behavioral changes in the rats. A significant diuretic effect was observed from the experimental animals treated with extract of Sida acuta individually compared to the control. The results obtained suggest potential usefulness of extract of Sida acuta leaf as an antiurolithiatic agent.