STUDY OF DIURETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SEEDS OF HORDEUM VULGARE IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Background: Diuretics, which encourage the excretion of water and electrolytes, are extremely beneficial for 
treating a variety of illnesses, including those that cause edema, such as congestive heart failure, kidney problems, 
pregnancy-related toxemia, premenstrual tension, and hypertension. Objectives: To investigate, the diuretic 
efficacy of an ethanolic seed extract of Hordeum vulgare (EEHV) using the Lipschitz method on albino rats,. 
Methods: Five groups of albino rats were used to evaluate the diuretic activity of EEHV by using metabolic 
cages. Group I served as the normal control and received vehicle (CMC 2%).Group II received frusemide 10 
mg/kg.The groups III, IV, and V were given low (100 mg/kg), medium (200 mg/kg), and high (400 mg/kg) doses 
of EEHV in vehicle, respectively.All the rats were immediately hydrated with saline (15 ml/kg, po) and housed in 
metabolic cages. At the end of the fifth hour, the total amount of urine collected was measured. Total urine 
volume and sodium, potassium, and chloride ion concentration in the urine, were measured and estimated. 
Results: The EEHV at various dose levels (100,200, and 400 mg/kg) significantly increased urine volume and 
increased sodium, potassium, and chloride ion elimination in urine as compared to the vehicle-treated control 
group. Conclusion: The amount of urine produced and the concentrations of sodium, potassium, and chloride 
increased significantly after a single dosage of standard frusemide (10 mg/kg) and EEHV (100, 200, and 400 
mg/Kg). The higher diuretic efficacy caused by EEHV 400 mg/Kg was equivalent to that of conventional 
furosemide (10 mg/kg).