Evaluation of diuretic and laxative activity of aqueous extract of Argemone mexicana leaves in rats

espanolObjetivos: Argemone mexicana ha sido ampliamente estudiada por sus diversos beneficios farmacologi­cos y se ha utilizado en la medicina tradicional para tratar sintomas de estrenimiento. El presente estudio evaluo el extracto por su potencial diuretico y laxante. Metodo: El extracto acuoso de Argemone mexicana se preparo utilizando el metodo de percolacion y se sometio a analisis fitoquimico. La evaluacion de la actividad diuretica y laxante se llevo a cabo utilizando unas jaulas metabolicas y un fotometro de llama segun el metodo estandar descrito con anterioridad. Se administro frusemida (20 mg / kg) y picosulato de sodio (5 mg / kg) como control positivo de la activi­dad diuretica y actividad laxante respectivamente. Resultado: El extracto mostro una actividad diuretica significativa a una dosis de 250 mg / kg en com­paracion con la frusemida estandar. Incluso, este extracto tambien es efectivo para aumentar la con­centracion de electrolitos. Mientras que el extracto a 250 mg/kg mostro un aumento significativo en la produccion fecal, y tambien aumento significativamente el peso de las heces en ambas dosis. Conclusion: El hallazgo significativo anterior apoya el uso tradicional de Argemone mexicana por sus potencialidades diuretica y laxante. EnglishObjectives: Argemone mexicana have been widely studied for its several pharmacological benefits and has been used in traditional medicine to treat constipation like symptoms. The present study carried out to evaluate the extract for its diuretic and laxative potential. Method: The aqueous extract of Argemone mexicana prepared using percolation method and subjected to phytochemical analysis. Evaluation of diuretic and laxative activity was carried out using metabolic cage apparatus and flame photometer as per the standard method reported earlier. Frusemide (20 mg/kg) and sodium picosulate (5 mg/kg) were served as positive control for diuretic activity and laxative activity respectively. Result: The extract showed significant diuretic activity at 250 mg/kg dose when compared to standard frusemide. Even this extract also effective in increasing electrolyte concentration. Whereas the extract at 250 mg/kg showed significantly increasing in fecal output, and also significantly increased the weight of feces at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg dose. Conclusion: The previous significant finding supports the traditional use of Argemone mexicana for its diuretic and laxative potential