Diuretic Effect of Pluchea indica

Abstract

The study of diuretic effect of Pluchea indica was divided into three parts. The first part was performed on water-loaded rats under ethanol anesthesia. The rats were injected intravenously with 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 ml of 5 and 10% Infusion of Pluchea indica. The amplitudes of response, i.e. the percentages of increment of urine output, were dose-related. Potassium constituent of the Infusion was not the causative agent of this diuresis, since much higher concentration of potassium than the level found in the Infusion did not cause equivalent effect. The other active substances should play the role.

The acute toxicities of the Infusion were studied in rats. The LD₅₀ value was higher than 5 g/kg. body weight. No pathological change was detectable after this very high doses. Thus, the "Infusion" may be classified as "non-toxic"

The third part of the experiment was performed on normal human subjects. Thirty volunteers were assigned to drink 250 ml. of 5% Infusion of Pluchea indica and urine of those volunteers were collected consequently for 5 hours. The result was compared to the response exerted by 50 mg. of hydrochlorothiazide plus 250 ml. of drinking water. The diuretic action of the Infusion was greater than that of hydrochlorothiazide; the values of which were 1.952 and 1.255 respectively. The saluretic action of hydrochlorothiazide was conversely higher than that of the Infusion and the values of which were 2.256 and 1.207 respectively.

Thus, the Infusion of Pluchea indica can exert its diuretic action in both animal and human subjects. The Infusion is non-toxic and may be employed as a potent diuretic agent.