Diuretic Activity of Chandraprabha vati (an Ayurvedic Herbo-mineral formulation) in Rats

Abstract

Chandraprabha vati (CV) is a herbo-mineral formulation consisting of 37 ingredients (28 herbs, 3 mineral salts, 2 alkali, 2 metal ashes, sucrose and Aspelt mineral pitch) which is used as a diuretic in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. However, the diuretic potential and its mechanisms of action are not scientifically investigated. This study examined these two aspects using rat conscious hydrated model. Three different doses of CV in 1 ml (1000, 2000, 4000mg/kg) or furosemide (positive control) (13 mg/kg) or 1 ml of distilled water (negative control) was orally administered to different groups of rats (N=6/group) which were previously starved (for 18 h) and subsequently hydrated (15 ml of isotonic saline). The rats were individually placed in metabolic cages and their urine output was monitored hourly for 6h. The result revealed that, CV markedly increased the urinary output at1^st hour itself in an inversely dose – related manner (r² = -1). The onset of the diuretic action of CV was very rapid (within 1h) and so was the peak diuresis (within 1h) but the effect was short lived (2h) as furosemide. Interestingly, the diuretic potential of CV was superior (by 2 fold) to furosemide. Further, CV increased the specific gravity, conductivity, urinary Na⁺ level, urinary Na⁺/ K⁺ ratio, urinary Na⁺/ K⁺ ratio, urinary Na⁺/Cl^- ratio, urinary Na⁺/ H⁺ ratio and creatinine clearance. The CV did not induced toxicity (general, renal, hepatic and neuro toxicity). These results significantly show that CV can function as a diuretic as claimed in Ayurvedic medicine and acts via multiple mechanisms. (osmotic, thiazide, potassium sparing, loop diuretic and promoting glomerular filtration rate). It is concluded that, CV can as function as potent, safe diuretic as claimed in Ayurvedic medicine.