EVALUATION OF DIURETIC AND LAXATIVE ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CASSIA ALATA LINN. (CAESALPINIACEAE) LEAVES IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

*Dr. P.V. Madhava Reddy, Vamsi Krishna Murthy Ginjupalli, C. Bhuvaneswar Rao, K. Yalla Reddy and M. Santhosh Aruna

ABSTRACT

Cassia alata Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae) is a shrub commonly known as “candle bush or ringworm shrub. C. alata is extensively used for treating gastrointestinal conditions, skin diseases, allergic reactions and inflammatory conditions. The present study was evaluated for diuretic and laxative activity of methanolic extract on albino wistar rats. The acute toxicity study of the extract had shown no sign of toxicity up to a dose level of 2000mg/kg body weight. The methanol extract of Cassia alata Linn. (200mg/kg) showed lesser diuretic activity compared to MECA 400mg/kg during the 5h of the test duration (Diuretic action (4.53 and 5.75) when compared to control the MECA 200mg/kg MECA 400mg/kg both doses showed more significant diuretic activity. The laxative activity of Cassia alata was after oral administration of extract showed the significant and dose-dependent increase in fecal output of rats in regards to the accumulation of water in the intestine. Cassia alata Linn. (200mg/kg) showed lesser laxative activity compared to MECA 100mg/kg during the 8h of the test duration (Laxative action (2.71 and 3.23) when compared to control the MECA 100mg/kg MECA 200mg/kg both doses showed more significant laxative activity.

Keywords: Cassia alata Linn., Diurect, Laxative, ringworm shrub, Significant etc.