Acute toxicity and diuretic studies of the roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Asparagus racemosus Willd has been used as diuretic in Ayurveda but has not been validated by a suitable experimental model. Hence the present study was undertaken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out with an aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus utilizing three doses viz 800 mg/kg, 1600 mg/kg and 3200 mg/kg for its diuretic activity in comparison with standard drug (furosemide) and control (normal saline) rats after doing acute toxicity study. RESULTS: Acute toxicity study showed no fatality even with the highest dose and the diuretic study revealed significant diuretic activity (p < 0.05) in the dose of 3200 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Asparagus racemosus showed diuretic activity at a 3200 mg/kg dose without acute toxicity.