TO COMPARE THE EFFECTS OF TRIBULUS TERRISTRIS WITH HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE ON URINE VOLUME AND ELECTROLYTES

Abstract

Abstract

Study was conducted on rabbits after administration of herbal extract of Tt for two weeks. Experimental ani-mals were divided into three groups: Control (CT), Tribulus terristris (Tt) and Hydrochlorothiazide (H-CT). Urine volume and serum Na+, K+ levels were measured on day 01 and day 15. There was significant increase in urine volume and reduction in serum Na+, K+ levels regarding comparison of Tt vs HCT. Tribu-lus terristris has diuretic effect as compared to control group and less diuretic effect as compared to Hydro-chlorothiazide.

Background:  Tribulus terristris belongs to Zygo-phayllaceae family. It is suggested to increase the urine output, although the plant was recognized as a diuretic and aphrodisiac but its diuretic activity is not much evaluated and compared.

Material and Methods:  The study was conducted in the department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Post-graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. The duration of study was two weeks. Twenty Four rabbits of mixed breed were purchased locally and kept in the animal house of Postgraduate medical Institute, Lahore for a week for acclimatization before starting the experi-ment. Twelve hours light and dark cycle was main-tained. They were fed on grass, grain, seasonal vegeta-bles and water adlibitum. Animals were weighed for calculation of dosage of herb and HCT. They were divided into three equal groups randomly, group CT; (no medicine was given), group Tt; (tribulus terristris was given), group HCT; (Hydrochlorothiazide was given).

Results:  Tt VS HCT, the change in 24 hours urine volume was found statistically significant P < 0.05 on day 01 and day 15. Serum Na+ level was also found statistically significant P < 0.05 throughout the study period. But serum potassium level was statistically significant < 0.05 on day 01 and insignificant on day 15.

Conclusion:  The results of our study reveal that Tt contains diuretic properties but its magnitude of res-ponse is less than HCT. On the basis of our study we suggest its further evaluation and then recommend it for the treatment of mild to moderate essential hyper-tension like HCT.

Key words:  Control = CT, Tribulus terristris = Tt, Hydrochlorothiazide = HCT, Versus = VS, Sodium = Na+, Potassium = K+, Distilled water = D/W.