ABSTRACT:
The present study was undertaken to evaluate diuretic and antiulcer acivity of Ethanolic and Petroleum ether extract of flowers of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. in Wistar albino strain rats with the help of Lipschitz and pylorus ligation method respectively. The extracts were administered to experimental rats orally at dose of 200mg/kg. Furosemide and Ranitidine was used as a standard drug at a dose of 20mg/kg and 80mg/kg respectively in the present study. The diuretic effect was evaluated by measuring urine volume, sodium and potassium content in urine and antiulcer activity was by intensity of ulcers observed. Urine volume was significantly increased and the intensity of ulcer was decreased by the dose of extract in comparison to control group. While the excretion of sodium also increased by the test. The ethanolic extract had shown significant results in comparison to Petroleum ether extract. The diuretic activity of Petroleum ether extract and Ethanolic extract was found to be 7.5 ml/24hrs and 8.3 ml/24hrs respectively, also decreases the pH of stomach by 2.3 and 2.8 respectively in comparison to control. These findings indicates that Pet. Ether as well as ethanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. shown potential diuretic and antiulcerogenic activity. These activities thus lend pharmacological credence to the suggested use of plant as a natural remedy in the treatment and management of disease conditions.