Evaluation of diuretic and antiurolithiatic properties of ethanolic extract of Sida acuta burm F. in wistar albino rats

Objective: To evaluate the diuretic and antiurolithiatic properties of ethanolic extract of Sida acuta Burm. f. in albino rats. Methods: Three different doses of Sida acuta (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) were tested for diuretic activity and compared with furosemide (25 mg/kg) and control group. 24 hr urine output and urinary concentrations of sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺) and chloride (Cl^-) ions were the parameters measured. Prophylactic and curative antiurolithiatic activity was tested for three doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg & 400 mg/kg) of Sida acuta and compared with control group and animals treated with standard herbal preparation Cystone (750 mg/kg) using zinc disc implantation model. Results: Sida acuta (400 mg/kg) significantly increased the urine output (p<0.001), which was almost equivalent to furosemide. Sida acuta also caused a significant increase in the excretion of K⁺ and Cl^-at higher doses (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg). Effects on Na⁺excretion were not significant for all three doses of the test drug. Sida acuta (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) showed statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in depositions around zinc discs as compared to control when tested in prophylactically treated rats, but not in rats treated post-urolithiasis induction. Conclusion: Sida acuta produced a dose-dependent increase in urine output, with no effect on sodium excretion. This probably indicates that the diuresis produced could be due to its aquarectic action. It also showed significant prophylactic antiurolithiatic activity, but further studies are necessary to evaluate fully its therapeutic potential.