Diuretic activity of the leaves of Coleus aromaticus Benth
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Diuretic activity of the leaves of Coleus aromaticus Benth
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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G.P. Choudhary
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Diuretic activity of the leaves of Coleus aromaticus Benth
Year: 2009
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The leaves of Coleus aromaticus Bentham, commonly known as Indian or country borage, have long been utilized in traditional medicine throughout the East Indian archipelago, particularly for ailments such as aphthous stomatitis. The plant is recognized for its antiseptic properties, attributed historically to its active components, including carvacrol and thymol. This investigation aimed to validate the traditional medicinal applications of Coleus aromaticus by evaluating its diuretic activity, using both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of its leaves through experimentation on male Wistar rats.
Diuretic Activity of Coleus Aromaticus
The diuretic potential of Coleus aromaticus extracts was assessed using a method adapted from Lipschitz et al. The study involved dividing male rats into control and experimental groups, with varying treatments administered, including normal saline, furosamide, and the extracts at a dosage of 500 mg/kg. Results indicated that both extracts produced significant increases in urine volume and electrolyte concentrations compared to the control group. Specifically, the mean urine volumes recorded were notably higher in the groups receiving the plant extracts, demonstrating that Coleus aromaticus effectively influences diuretic activity.
Conclusion
The findings from this study highlight the significant diuretic effects of Coleus aromaticus extracts, substantiated by measurable increases in urine output and electrolyte levels. These results not only support the plant's traditional use but also prompt further investigation to identify the active compounds responsible for its pharmacological properties. Overall, Coleus aromaticus shows promise as a natural diuretic agent, meriting additional research to explore its potential benefits and applications in contemporary medicine.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What traditional uses are associated with Coleus aromaticus leaves?
Coleus aromaticus leaves are traditionally used for treating bronchitis, asthma, diarrhea, epilepsy, renal calculi, and fever due to their antiseptic and diuretic properties.
How was the diuretic activity of Coleus aromaticus tested?
The diuretic activity was evaluated by administering aqueous and ethanolic extracts to male rats, measuring urine volume and electrolyte concentration after a five-hour period without food or water.
What was the outcome of the diuretic activity study?
Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Coleus aromaticus significantly increased urine volume and electrolyte concentration compared to the control group, indicating notable diuretic activity at a dose of 500 mg/kg.
What methods were used for acute toxicity assessment in the study?
Acute toxicity was assessed using Miller and Tainter methods on mice, determining the LD50 of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Coleus aromaticus leaves, which was found to be 500 mg/kg.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Diuretic activity of the leaves of Coleus aromaticus Benth”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Activity:
In the context of the study, 'Activity' refers to the biological effects observed when examining Coleus aromaticus extracts. Specifically, it relates to the diuretic activity assessed through urine volume and electrolyte concentration in rats, demonstrating the plant's potential medicinal benefits and efficacy as a natural remedy.
2) Science (Scientific):
Here, 'Science' pertains to the systematic study and investigation of the medicinal properties of plants, including Coleus aromaticus. The research is grounded in scientific methodologies, including controlled experiments and statistical analyses to validate traditional medicinal claims, contributing to the broader field of pharmacognosy and herbal medicine.
3) Water:
Water is a critical solvent used in the extraction process of bioactive compounds from Coleus aromaticus leaves. In this study, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts were investigated for their potential diuretic effects, underscoring water's role in facilitating the bioavailability and therapeutic applications of plant-derived substances.
4) Devi:
In this context, 'Devi' refers to Devi Ahilya University, where the research was conducted. The university is significant as it provides the institutional framework and support for scientific studies related to pharmacology and botany, contributing to education and advancements in medicinal plant research.
5) Toxicity:
'Toxicity' relates to the safety assessment of the plant extracts. The acute toxicity study was performed on albino mice to determine the lethal dose (LD50) of Coleus aromaticus, ensuring that any therapeutic applications do not pose significant health risks, reflecting an essential aspect of pharmacological research.
6) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology encompasses the study of how drugs interact with biological systems. In this study, it involves understanding the effects of Coleus aromaticus extracts on diuretic activity, highlighting the plant's potential therapeutic use and reinforcing the importance of pharmacological evaluations in herbal medicine.
7) Discussion:
'Discussion' refers to the section where the results are interpreted and analyzed in the context of existing literature. It is crucial for contextualizing findings about Coleus aromaticus within modern scientific frameworks, comparing with traditional uses, and identifying future research directions.
8) Epilepsy:
Epilepsy is mentioned as one of the traditional uses of Coleus aromaticus leaves. The significance lies in exploring the broader pharmacological benefits of the plant, suggesting it could play a role in managing epilepsy alongside other health conditions, meriting further studies on its anticonvulsant properties.
9) Botany:
Botany is the scientific study of plants, which underlies the identification and classification of Coleus aromaticus. Understanding its botanical characteristics informs researchers about its cultivation, phytochemistry, and ecological significance, thus contributing to the knowledge base necessary for exploring its medicinal potential.
10) Padma:
'Padma' refers to one of the authors cited in the references. Authors like Padma contribute to the body of knowledge supporting the study of enzymatic antioxidants, emphasizing the importance of referencing established research in developing new hypotheses and enhancing the credibility of scientific investigations.
11) Diet:
Diet refers to the nutritional intake of the animals used in the study. Maintaining a controlled diet ensures that experimental outcomes from Coleus aromaticus can be attributed to the plant extracts rather than variations in nutrition, highlighting the importance of standardization in scientific research.
12) Drug:
'Drug' in this context relates to the active substances derived from Coleus aromaticus and their potential pharmacological effects. As the extracts were tested against the standard drug Furosamide, the term underscores the aim of discovering plant-derived alternatives or complementary therapies in modern medicine.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Diuretic activity of the leaves of Coleus aromaticus Benth’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Statistical analysis, Plant material, Acute toxicity study, Diuretic activity, LD50, Alcoholic Extraction, Aqueous Extraction, Department of Pharmacognosy, Male Wister rats, Experimental animal house, Normal saline solution, Metabolic cage, Humane care, Cold maceration, Electrolyte concentration, Lipschitz method.