Diuretic activity of Bixa orellana Linn. leaf extracts.

The present investigation was aimed at investigating the diuretic activity of Bixa orellana Linn. leaves. The dried leaf powder was subjected to successive Soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Among these, petroleum ether, methanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated for diuretic activity in Wistar rats using standard methods. The diuretic activity was assessed in terms of urine output and levels of sodium, potassium and chloride in urine. The results obtained revealed that the methanolic extract showed significant diuretic activity at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight by increasing the total volume of urine and levels of sodium, potassium and chloride in urine when compared to standard drug, Furosemide and Arachis oil as control and vehicle for the extracts.