Diuretic Activity of Pongamia pinnata Linn. Leaf Extracts in Rats

Pongamia pinnata Linn were evaluated by determination of urine volume, electrolyte concentration and diuretic potency in male albino rats. Different concentrations of petroleum ether, and methanol extract (250 mg/kg, 500mg/kg) were orally administered to hydrated rats and their urine out put was immediately measured after 5 h of treatment. Furosamide (10 mg/kg) was used as reference drug while normal saline (0.9%) solution was used as control. The petroleum ether extract exhibited dose dependent diuretic property. The onset of diuretic action was extremely prompt (within 1h) and lasted through out the studied period (upto 5h). The ethanol and petroleum ether extracts caused marked increase in Na⁺., K⁺ and Cl^- level. The result of this experiment suggests that Pongamia pinnata Linn leaves extracts possessed significant diuretic activity in rats.