27

Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences

ISSN: 2 34 8-7658
M ay 2014; 2(1):2 7-32
Available online at http://www.jpcbs.info

Review Article

Herbal Plants Used as Diuretics: A comprehensive Review

Koushik Nandan Dutta1*, Purbajit Chetia1, Sunita Lahkar1, Sumit Das2

1
Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Assam Down Town University, Panikhaiti, Guwahati-26, Assam,
India
2
Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Azara, Guwahati-17, Assam, India

* Corresponding author: Koushik Nandan Dutta Email: koushik5dutta@gmail.com

Received: 18/05/2014 Revised: 22/05/2014 Accepted: 28/05/2014

ABSTRACT

Medicinal herbs are the significant source as Diuretics. Mono and poly-herbal preparations have been used
as diuretics. According to one estimate, more than 650 mono and poly-herbal preparations in the form of
decoction, tincture, tablets and capsules from more than 75 plants are in clinical use. There exist a large
number of studies which supports the diuretic effects of traditional herbal medicines. This article reviews
the various herbal plants used traditionally as diuretics and the identification of chemical constituent of
the plant promoting diuresis. The present paper also involves various plant drugs and their
pharmacological profile which focus on the dose administered, bioactive extract involved in diuresis
mechanism. This work may mark an important milestone for the researchers in the selection of medicinal
plant for carrying their work on diuretics.

Keywords: Diuretics, Herb, Extract, Pharmacological profile.

INTRODUCTION Unani are predominantly based on the use of

Worldwide trend towards the utilization of plant materials. Herbal drugs have gained
natural plant remedies has created an enormous importance and popularity in recent years
need for information about the properties and because of their safety, efficacy and cost
uses of the medicinal plant. The Indian effectiveness [1]. The association of medical
Traditional Medicine like Ayurvedic, Siddha and plants with other plants in their habitat also
influences their medicinal values in some cases.

Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences (JPCBS), May 2014; 2(1): 27-32
 Dutta et al 28

One of the important and well -documented water and solute balance. The proximal
uses of plant -products is their use as Diuretic convoluted tubule reabsorbs about 50-66 % of
agents. Diuretic are commonly defined as drugs fluid by both active and passive processes. The
that increase the amount of urine output by the thin descending limb of Loop of Henle allows
kidneys. These agents augment the renal osmotic water abstraction as it is highly
excretion of sodium and either chloride or permeable to water and impermeable to
bicarbonate primarily, and water excretion solutes. The reduced water absorption from the
secondarily[2]. descending limb of Loop of Henle has an
important role in over-all enhanced condition of
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF DIURETICS diuresis. The thin ascending limb of Loop of
Henle is impermeable to water and highly
Diuretics play an important role in the
permeable to chloride and sodium therefore
management of oedema and hypertension. This
diuretics show no effects on it [3].
function is mainly an increase in net negative

Table.1 Different types of diuretics [3]

Type Example Site of action Mechanism
Carbonic anhydrase Acetazolamide Proximal tubule Inhibition of CA
inhibitors
Osmotic Mannitol Loop of Henle Osmotic action

Loop diuretics Furosemide Loop of Henle Inhibition of Na+-K+-

2Cl-symport
Thiazides Hydrochlorothiazide Distal convoluted Inhibition of Na+-Cl-
tubule symport

Na+ channel Triamterene, Cortical collecting Inhibition of

Potassium- inhibitors amiloride tubule Na+ channel
sparing
diuretics Aldosterone Spironolactone Cortical collecting Inhibition of aldo-
antagonist tubule sterone receptor

HERBAL TREATMENT Herb used as a diuretic has been used in India for
a long time and has been popularized world over
Medicinal herbs are the significant source of
by leading pharmaceuticals. Plant medicine was
Diuretics. Mono and poly-herbal preparations
commonly used for traditional treatment of some
have been used as diuretics. According to one
renal diseases and a lot of plants have been
estimate, more than 650 mono and poly-herbal
reported to show significant diuretic activity.
preparations in the form of decoction, tincture,
Many investigators have demonstrated that
tablets and capsules from more than 75 plants are
studies of herbal plant used in traditional
in clinical use [4].
medicine as diuretics have increased recent years
and might be a useful tool in the treatment of
HERB USED AS A DIURETIC hypertension. Hypertension is considered one of

Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences (JPCBS), May 2014; 2(1): 27-32
 Dutta et al 29

the main and dangerous complications of diabetes with aqueous extract of leaves of M. pudica in the
mellitus [5]. doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively,
SOME HERBAL PLANTS EXERTING DIURETIC and the standard group received furosemide.
Urine biochemical analysis was done by
PROPERTY
colorimetry. The aqueous extract of M. pudica
leaves at 100 mg/kg p.o. showed significant
Mangifera Indica
diuretic activity with increased electrolytes
Mangifera indica is a species of mango in the excretion (P<0.01 for urine output, P<0.01 for Cl- ,
Anacardiaceae family. It is found in the wild in P<0.05 for K+ and P<0.01 for Na+). Increasing the
India and cultivated varieties have been dose of the test drug, however, does not bring
introduced to other warm regions of the world. It about increase in diuretic property [7].
is the largest fruit-tree in the world, capable of a
height of one-hundred feet and an average Lepidium sativum
circumference of twelve to fourteen feet,
sometimes reaching twenty [1]. Lepidium sativum known as garden cress belongs
to the family Brassicaceae. The seeds and leaves
Diuretic activity of Mangifera indica bark extract of the plant contain volatile oils. Garden cress
in rats was studied by Shree devi. They use Ethyl seeds are bitter, thermogenic, depurative,
acetate, ethanol and water extract of Mangifera rubefacient, galactogogue, tonic, aphrodisiac,
indica for evaluation of diuretic activity. Diuretic ophthalmic, antiscorbutic, antihistaminic and
effect was carried out in rats (175 – 200 kg body diuretic. They are useful in the treatment of
wt.) by measuring the urine volume by 1, 2, 4, 6 asthma, coughs with expectoration, poultices for
hours and later at 24 hours. Positive control was sprains, leprosy, skin disease, dysentery,
supplied by furosemide (20mg/kg) i.p. and diarrhoea, splenomegaly, dyspepsia, lumbago,
mannitol (100mg/kg) i.v. They administered the leucorrhoea, scurvy and seminal weakness. Seeds
extract orally at the dose of 250 mg/kg body have been shown to reduce the symptoms of
weight. Diuretic study revealed that Na+/ K+ ratio asthma and improve lung function in asthmatics.
was higher in aqueous extract and followed by The main chemical constituents of L.sativum are
ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts. The aqueous flavonoids, coumarins, glycosides, glucosinolate,
extracts show best diuretic effect when compared glucotropaeolin, triterpenes, sterols and alkaloids
with other extracts [6]. [8].
Urine volume was significantly increased by
Mimosa pudica aqueous and methanolic extracts of the drug L.
sativum. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of
Mimosa pudica also called sensitive plant, sleepy the plant increases the sodium excretion whereas
plant is a creeping annual or perennial herb often the excretion of potassium is increased by
grown for its curiosity value: the compound leaves aqueous extract only. The diuretic effect of the
fold inward and droop when touched or shaken, extracts was equivalent to that of the
to protect them from predators, re-opening hydrochlorothiazide which is used as reference
minutes later. The species is native to South drug and methanol had the supplementary
America and Central America. It grows mostly in benefit of a potassium conserving effect [9].
shady areas, under trees or shrubs.
Diuretic test of aqueous extract of Mimosa pudica Achyranthes aspera
Linn. leaves were evaluated using Lipschitz test in
normally fed albino rats. The control group was Achyranthes aspera Linn (Amaranthaceae),
given 0.9% NaCl, the 3 test groups were treated commonly known as Apamarga in Ayurveda and is

Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences (JPCBS), May 2014; 2(1): 27-32
 Dutta et al 30

found as a weed that has been traditionally used diuretic activity of crude ethanolic extract and
for a number of ailments.The plant is indigenously fractions of Euphorbia Thymifolia linn in albino
used as diuretic, spermicidal, anti-allergic, rats and was compared with standard drugs
cardiovascular, nephroprotective, antiparasitic, Furosemide (10mg/kg,p.o.). Fractions of the
hypoglycaemic, analgesic and antipyretic. In the extract potentiated the diuretic activity with
present study the methanolic extract of whole respect to the standard drug. The activities may
plant of Achyranthes aspera was investigated for be contributed by the phytoconstituents present
its diuretic potential. The diuretic effect was in ethanolic extract of Euphorbia Thymifolia Linn.
found out by Lipschitz et. al. method using [13]
furosemide as standard drug. The methanolic
extract treated rats showed high diuretic effect as Taraxacum officinale
compared to control but this effect was less than
furosemide. Significant increase in renal clearance Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion
of sodium, potassium and chloride ions was (often called "dandelion"), is a flowering
observed in treated and standard groups [10]. herbaceous perennial plant of the family
Asteraceae . Dandelion is commonly used as a
Bixa orellana food. The leaves are used in salads and teas, while
the roots are sometimes used as a coffee
Bixa Orellana is a shrub or small tree widely substitute. Dandelion leaves and roots have been
cultivated for the seeds or as an ornamental in used for hundreds of years to treat liver,
West Indies, tropical Asia and Africa. The plant has gallbladder, kidney, and joint problems [14].
long been used by American Indians to make body Dandelion is traditionally considered as an
paint, especially for the lips, which is the origin of alternative for conditions such as eczema and
the plant's nickname, lipstick tree. Extracts of the cancer. In experimental research on mice, high
leaves of bixa possess antimicrobial activity amounts of an aqueous extract of dandelion leaf
against Gram positive microorganisms, with (2 gm per kg body wt.) have been shown to have
maximum activity against Bacillus pumilus[11]. diuretic activity comparable to furosemide. Since
Bixa leaves have been employed to treat malaria dandelion is also a rich source of potassium, some
and Leishmaniasis. The dried leaf powder was researchers think that it is capable of replacing
subjected to successive soxhlet extraction with potassium lost through dieresis [15].
Petroleum ether, Methanol and water. These
extracts were investigated for diuretic activity in Allium sativum
wister rats using standard method. The
methanolic extract of Bixa orellana leaves posses Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic,
significant diuretic activity by increasing the total belongs to the family Liliaceae and genus
urine output and increased excretion of sodium Allium.Garlic is used as carminative, aprodisic
,potassium and chloride level [12]. ,expectorant and disinfectant in the treatment of
pulmonary conditions. Oil of garlic is used as
Euphorbia thymifolia anthelmintic and rubefacient. It has been noticed
that garlic lowered the blood pressure and level of
Euphorbia thymifolia (Euphorbiaceae) is a small cholesterol and also possesses strong anti-
branched, pubescent, prostate annual herb, microbial activity. The intravenous administration
commonly known as laghududhika or choti-dudhi. of purified fractions of Allium sativum, exhibits a
The leaves, seeds and fresh juice of whole plant significant biphasic and natriuretic response.
are used in worm infections, as stimulant, Chloride ions follow the natriuretic profile but
astringent. Kane S R et. al. investigated the potassium ions do not. No changes were observed

Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences (JPCBS), May 2014; 2(1): 27-32
 Dutta et al 31

in arterial blood pressure or in the 4.Chopra RN, Nayar SL, Chopra, LC. Glossary of
electrocardiogram. The purified garlic fractions Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the
also bring about a suppressive dose dependent supplement). New Delhi, India: Council of
effect on Na+-K+-ATPase. Therefore it may cause Scientific and Industrial Research; 1986, p 845.
diuresis by increasing the volume of urine [16]. 5. Wright C J et al. Herbal medicines as diuretics, a
review of the scientific evidence. Journal of
CONCLUSION Ethnopharmacology 2007; 114(1):1-31.
6.Shree Devi MS. Acute toxicity and diuretic
The current review is intended to provide an activity of Mangifera indica Linn bark extracts.
overview of the current knowledge surrounding International Journal of Pharma and Bio
the use of herbal medicines as diuretics. In sciences 2011; 2(3):141-146.
modern day to day practice diuretics can be used 7.Sangmai T K et al. Diuretic property of aqueous
as a first line therapy in hypertensive patients. extract of leaves of Mimosa pudica Linn on
Herbal medicines are in great demand in the experimental albino rats. Journal of Natural
developed as well as in the developing countries Product 2010; 3:173-178.
for primary health care because of their wide 8.Archana N P, Anita A M. A study on clinical
biological and medicinal activities, higher safety efficacy of Lepidium sativum seeds in treatment
margins and lesser costs. The review has included of bronchial asthma. Iranian Journal of
the botanical characteristics of the plant which Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2006; 5: 55–
helps in identification of the plant, Ethnobotany 59.
which give traditional use of the plant, and the 9.Patel U et al. Evaluation of diuretic activity of
reported activities of the plant. However, the aqueous and methanol extracts of Lepidium
number of studies is limited and we recommend sativum Garden Cress (Cruciferae) in Rats.
that further studies to be conducted to confirm Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
reported activities. Such evidence is needed to 2009; 8:215-219.
provide scientific credence to the folklore use of 10. Srivastav S et al. Diuretic activity of whole
traditional medicines and even be helpful in the plant extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn.
development of future medicines and treatments European Journal of Experimental Biology 2011;
and treatment guidelines. By this review, it can be 1(2):97-102.
concluded that in the core of the nature there are 11. Fleischer T C et al. Antimicrobial activity of the
so many plants which possess potent diuretic leaves and seeds of Bixa orellana. Fitoterapia
activity. Herbal medications are free from side 2003; 74 (1–2): 136–138.
effects and toxicity unlike the allopathic 12. Radhika B et al. Diuretic activity of Bixa
medicines. The current review projected to orellana Linn leaf extracts. Indian journal of
provide an overview of knowledge adjoining the Natural Products and Resources 2010; 1(3):353-
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Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences (JPCBS), May 2014; 2(1): 27-32