Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries
Year : 2010, Volume : 2, Issue : 3
First page : ( 237) Last page : ( 240)
Print ISSN : 0975-4261. Online ISSN : 0975-6892.
Article DOI : 10.5958/j.0975-4261.2.3.038

Diuretic and laxative activities of methanol extract of Mimosa pudica L. leaves

Rajendran Rekha

Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry, Mohamed Sathak A.J. College of Pharmacy, Medavakkam, Chennai 600 119, Tamil Nadu, India, e-mail : rekhacognosy@rediffmail.com.

Abstract

The methanol extract of leaves of Mimosa pudica L. (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.

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Keywords

Mimosa pudica, diuretic and laxative activities, methanol extract, furosemide, Agar-agar.

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