Evaluation of diuretic activity of alcoholic extract of roots of cissampelos pareira in albino rats

Intravenous delivery of furosemide using lipid-based versus polymer-based nanocapsules: in vitro and in vivo studies

OBJECTIVES

Furosemide (FSM), a potent loop diuretic, is used to treat edema due to hypertension, congestive heart failure, and liver and renal failures. FSM applications are limited by its low bioavailability. Our aim is to use different nanoencapsulation strategies to control the release of FSM and enhance its pharmacokinetic properties.

METHODS

Two types of FSM-loaded nanocapsules, namely FSM-loaded lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) and polymeric nanocapsules (PNCs), were developed, physicochemically characterized, and subjected to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. Lipid nanocapsules were prepared by the simple phase inversion method using LabrafacTM lipid, while the polymeric nanocapsules were prepared by nanoprecipitation method using polycaprolactone polymer.

RESULTS

Transmission electron microscopy ascertains spherical structures, corroborating the nanometric diameter of both types of nanocapsules. The particle size of the optimized FSM-loaded LNCs and FSM-loaded PNCs was 32.19 ± 0.72 nm and 230.7 ± 5.13 nm, respectively. The percent entrapment efficiency was 63.56 ± 1.40% of FSM for the optimized PNCs. The in vitro release study indicated prolonged drug release compared to drug solutions. The two loaded nanocapsules systems succeeded in enhancing the pharmacokinetic parameters in comparison to the marketed FSM solution with superior diuretic activity (p < 0.05). The results of the stability study and the terminal sterilization by autoclave indicated the superiority of LNCs over PNCs in maintaining the physical parameters under storage conditions and the drastic conditions of sterilization.

CONCLUSIONS

LNCs and PNCs are considered promising nanosysems for improving the diuretic effect of FSM.

A comparative diuretic evaluation of fruit and root of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) in albino rats

Background

Gokshura Moola (root of Tribulus terrestris Linn.) is one among the ingredients of Dashamoola, a group of ten medicinal plants principally comprising roots as the useful part. In practice instead of root, fruit of Gokshura is widely used in most of the preparations of Dashamoola in Kerala. Dashamoola occupies a significant role in a wide range of Ayurvedic formulations and holds a major share in the drug manufacturing industry. This high demand of Dashamoola, leads the use of fruit instead of its root and implies the need to compare the efficacy of root and fruit of Gokshura.

Aim

This study is planned to assess whether fruit of Gokshura can be substituted for its root using the parameter of diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats.

Materials and methods

Wistar albino rats were divided in to four groups. The group I control group and group II standard group was orally administered with carboxymethyl cellulose 2% in normal saline and furosemide (20 mg/kg) respectively. Group III was administered orally with decoction of Gokshura root and groups IV with Gokshura fruit decoction, with a dose of 8.64 ml/kg. The diuretic effect was evaluated by measuring urine volume, Na+, K+ and Cl- ion content in urine. The results were analyzed by applying one-way ANOVA and LSD Post hoc pairwise comparison test.

Results

Both test drugs in group III and group IV provided significant increase in urine output when compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Decoction of Gokshura root provided a significant increase in comparison to decoction of Gokshura fruit in regards of sodium (P < 0.01), potassium (P < 0.001), and chloride ion (P < 0.05) excretion.

Conclusion

Diuretic action of both root and fruit of Gokshura is similar in terms of urine volume, but root is more effective in the basis of ionic excretion. Hence, while treating patients suffering from ionic imbalance, it is better to use fruit of Gokshura for protecting the ionic balance during diuresis. In all other conditions, root can be used for a better diuretic activity.

Potential Interaction of Green Tea Extract with Hydrochlorothiazide on Diuretic Activity in Rats

Treatment of ischemic hypertensive patients with hydrochlorothiazide can precipitate cardiac arrhythmias. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the diuretic potential of green tea alone and its effects on hydrochlorothiazide in interactive groups. Rats were treated with high (500 mg/kg, p.o.) and low (100 mg/kg, p.o.) dose of green tea extract in alone and interactive groups for 30 days. Standard, high, and low dose interactive groups received hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) on the day of experiment. Effect of different treatments was that assessed by evaluating diuretic action, diuretic activity, percentage of saline load excreted, and sodium and potassium levels in urine. Green tea in both high and low doses showed significant diuretic potential and when it is combined with hydrochlorothiazide resulted in significant improvement in the activity compared to hydrochlorothiazide alone treated group. It can be concluded that green tea extract when combined with hydrochlorothiazide showed significant increase in diuretic activity. Most important observation of the present study is even though the combination increases the diuretic potential, it is responsible for decrease in urinary potassium loss.