Diuretic and Laxative Activities of Methanol Extract of Mimosa pudica Leaves

 

Rekha Rajendran1* and S Ruby2

Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Mohamed Sathak A. J. College of Pharmacy, Medavakkam, Chennai - 600 119, Tamil Nadu, India

2 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Nandha college of pharmacy, India.

 *Corresponding Author E-mail:  rekhacognosy@rediffmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

The methanol extract of leaves of Mimosa pudica (Mimosaceae) was screened for diuretic and laxative activities in wistar albino rats. The study suggested that the extract was found to produce significant diuretic as well as laxative activities in dose dependant manner (200 and 400mg/kg p. o.). These activities were comparable with the standard drugs such as Furosemide (10mg/kg p. o.) and Agar-agar (300mg/kg p. o.) respectively. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of methanol extract of leaves of Mimosa pudica revealed the presence of phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, tannins, mucilage and flavonoids. The present study indicates that the observed significant diuretic and laxative activities of Mimosa pudica leaves may be contributed to the phytoconstituents present in it. Further work is in progress to identify the possible mechanisms of action and to identify the lead molecules responsible for diuretic and laxative activities.

 

KEYWORDS: Mimosa pudica, diuretic and laxative activities, methanol extract, Furosemide, Agar-agar

 


INTRODUCTION:

Herbal preparations are effectively and extensively used for their medicinal properties and have become increasingly popular worldwide1. Herbal medicines generally have fewer side effects than synthetic compounds and their effectiveness can be improved by modern pharmacological methods2. India has rich history of using plants for medicinal purposes. Mimosa pudica is a medicinial plant extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine for various diseases. Mimosa pudica belongs to the family Mimosaceae, is a stout strangling prostrate shrubby plant with compound leaves sensitive to touch, spinous stipule and globose pinkish flower heads, and grows as a weed in almost all parts of the country3. Leaves and stems of Mimosa pudica have been reported to contain an alkaloid, mimosine, leaves contains tannin3. The plant is native to tropical America and Brazil. It has become neutralized in the hotter regions of India and grows wild as a weed in certain parts of west coast of India4. According to the traditional use, it is regarded as diuretic, astringent, laxative and antispasmodic. Leaves and roots are used in the treatment of piles and fistula. Paste of leaves is applied to hydrocele. Cotton impregnated with juice of leaves is used for dressing sinus. Plant is also useful in the treatment of sore gum and is used as blood purifier.

 

It is also used for treating convulsions of children 3. The anti-hyperglyceamic5, anti-diarrhoeal6, anti-convulsant7, cytotoxic8, anti-microbial8 activities have been reported in the earlier studies. In the present study diuretic and laxative activities of methanol extract of Mimosa pudica are being reported.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Plant material:

The leaves of Mimosa pudica were procured from the Thailavaram (near SRM University) in the month of Febuary-2009. The plant was identified by Dr. D. Narashiman, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of botany, Plant biology & Plant biotechnology, Madras Christian College, Chennai, India. The voucher specimen (023/02/09) was deposited at the Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry M.S.A.J College of Pharmacy, Medavakkam high road, Chennai - 600 119, TamilNadu, India.

 

Preparation of extract:

The coarsely powdered leaves (300g) of Mimosa pudica was extracted to exhaustion in a soxhlet apparatus at 50o C with 500ml of methanol. The extract was filtered through a cotton plug, followed by whatman filter paper (no.1) and then concentrated by using a rotary evaporator at a low temperature (40 - 60oC) and reduced pressure to provide methanol extractive of 8.20g.

 

Preliminary phytochemical analysis:

The methanol extract was then subjected to preliminary phytochemical9 analysis to assess the presence of various phytoconstituents, it revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and glycosides. Preliminary thin layer chromatography studies also confirmed these constituents10.

 

Animals:

Male Swiss albino mice, weighing 20-25g and Wistar albino rats, weighing 120-150g were used for the acute toxicity study, diuretic and laxative activities. Animals were housed in standard environmental conditions and fed with standard diet and water ad libitum. The animals were acclimatized to the standard laboratory conditions (temperature 25±2˚C) and maintained on 12 hr light, 12 hr dark cycle. The institutional ethics committee approved all the experimental protocols.

 

Toxicity studies:

Acute toxicity study was performed for methanol extract according to the acute toxic classic method as per OECD guidelines11. Female albino rats were used for acute toxicity study. The animals were kept fasting for overnight providing only water, after which the extract was administered orally at the dose of 300mg/kg and observed for 14 days. If mortality was observed in two animals out of three animals, then the dose administered was assigned as toxic dose. If the mortality was observed in one animal, then the same dose was repeated to confirm the toxic dose. If mortality was not observed, the procedure was repeated for further higher doses such 50,200 & 2000mg/kg body weight. The animals were observed for toxic symptoms for 72 hrs.

 

DIURETIC ACTIVITY:

Experimental animals were deprived of food and water for 18 hours prior to the start of the experimental procedure 12 & 13 and these animals were divided into four groups of six animals in each group. Group I is considered as control and these animals received normal saline 25ml/kg, p. o. Group II is considered as standard group and these animals received standard drug Furosemide in saline14 10mg/kg p. o. group III and IV is considered as test groups which received test extract of Mimosa pudica leaves (methanol extract) 200 and 400mg/kg p. o. in saline. Immediately after the drug administration, the animals were placed in metabolic cages of two animals per cage which is specially designed to separate urine and faeces which is kept at 20°C±0.5°C. The volume of urine collected at the end of 5th hour is measured and during this period, no food and water was made available to the animals. The parameters such as total urine volume, Na+, K+ concentrations15 were determined by flame photometer and Cl concentration13, 16 & 17 were determined by flame photometer by titration with silver nitrate solution using potassium chromate as an indicator.

 

LAXATIVE ACTIVITY:

Experimental animals were fasted for 12 hours prior to the start of the experimental procedure18 but with water provided ad libitum and these animals were divided into four groups of six animals in each. Group I is considered as control and these animals received vehicle 25ml/kg 1% Tween 80 solution in normal saline p. o. Group II is considered as standard group and these animals received standard drug Agar-agar in normal saline19 300mg/kg p. o. Group III and IV is considered as test groups which received test extract of Mimosa pudica leaves (methanol extract) 200 and 400mg/kg p. o. in saline. Immediately after the administration, the animals were placed in metabolic cages suitable for the collection of faeces. After 8th hour of drug administration, the faeces were collected from all the animals and weighed. Food and water were given to all experimental animals and faecal output was again estimated after the duration of 16th hour.

 

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:

The mean values±SEM are calculated for each parameter. For determining the significant inter group difference each parameter was analyzed separately and one-way analysis of variance was carried out and the individual comparisons of the group mean values were done using Dunnet’s test 20. P<0.05 were considered significant.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The results of the preliminary phytochemical screening of the methanol extract of Mimosa pudica revealed the presence of phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids and glycosides. In acute toxicity studies, the methanol extract of Mimosa pudica did not produce any toxic symptoms or mortality up to the dose level of 2000mg/kg body weight in rats, and hence the extract was considered to be safe and non-toxic for further pharmacological screening.

 

In the test group (group III and IV) the methanol extract was found to produce significant increase in urinary output volume and excretory concentration of ions such as sodium, potassium and chloride (Table – 1) and this increase in ion concentration is comparable with the standard drug furosemide group II. Higher dose of the plant extract Mimosa pudica was found to be more effective and produced significant diuretic action.

 

In the screening of laxative activity, the methanol extract of Mimosa pudica was found to produce significant increase in the faecal output (group III and IV) when compared to the control group and it is comparable with the standard drug Agar-agar group II and it is shown in table - 2.

 

The present study revealed that the methanol extract of Mimosa pudica significantly increased the urinary output as well as the urinary electrolyte concentration in a dose dependant manner (400mg/kg). The increase in the ration of concentration of excreted sodium and potassium ions indicates that the extract increases sodium ion excretion to a greater extent than potassium, which is a very essential quality of a good diuretic with lesser hyperkalaemic side effect.

 


Table - 1: Diuretic Activity of Methanol Extract of Mimosa pudica Leaves

S. No

Treatment

Urine volume (ml)

Concentration of ions (mEq/l)

Na+/K+ ratio

Na+

K+

Cl+

1.

Group I (control 25ml/kg)

2.85±0.14

52.12 ±2.86

141.72 ±2.68

87.85 ±3.88

0.37

2.

Group II (Standard drug Furosemide 10mg/kg)

10.5 ±0.54**

108.13 ±3.17**

187.55 ±1.98**

130. 61 ±3.69**

0.58

3.

Group III (methanol extract of Mimosa pudica 200mg/kg)

2.97 ±0.06

51.47 ±3.05

139.55 ±3.14

94.88 ±4.77

0.37

4.

Group III (methanol extract of Mimosa pudica 00mg/kg)

5.1 ±0.21

67.85 ±4.22*

147.50 ±2.49

104.95 ±1.69*

0.46

n=6, values are expressed as mean±SEM, *p<0.05 & **p<0.01 - more significant when compared to the control.

 

 

Table - 2: Laxative Activity of Methanol Extract of Mimosa pudica Leaves

S. No

Treatment

Faecal Output (g)

8 hr

8-16hr

1.

Group I (control 25ml/kg)

0.87±0.013

0.312±0.035

2.

Group II (Standard drug Furosemide 10mg/kg)

1.069±0.038**

0.303±0.033

3.

Group III (methanol extract of Mimosa pudica 200mg/kg)

0.389±0.008

0.2±0.014

4.

Group III (methanol extract of Mimosa pudica 00mg/kg)

1.252±0.079**

0.306±0.042

n=6, values are expressed as mean±SEM, **p<0.01 - more significant when compared to the control.

 

 


The methanol extract of Mimosa pudica was found to produce significant laxative activity, in a dose dependent manner up to 8 hours of drug administration. The extract produced a significant laxative effect which is comparable with the standard drug Agar-agar. In accordance with these results, it may be confirmed due to the presence of phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids and glycosides which are present in the methanol extract could be considered as, responsible for the significant diuretic and laxative activities. In conclusion, it can be said that the methanol extract of Mimosa pudica exhibited a significant diuretic and laxative activities.  Efforts are in progress to isolate and characterize the active principle, which is responsible for these significant diuretic and laxative efficacies of this valuable medicinal plant.

 

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Received on 30.11.2009       Modified on 24.12.2009

Accepted on 29.01.2010      © RJPT All right reserved

Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 3(2): April- June 2010; Page 556-558