A comparative diuretic evaluation of fruit and root of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) in albino rats

BACKGROUND: Gokshura Moola (root of Tribulus terrestris Linn.) is one among the ingredients of Dashamoola, a group of ten medicinal plants principally comprising roots as the useful part. In practice instead of root, fruit of Gokshura is widely used in most of the preparations of Dashamoola in Kerala. Dashamoola occupies a significant role in a wide range of Ayurvedic formulations and holds a major share in the drug manufacturing industry. This high demand of Dashamoola, leads the use of fruit instead of its root and implies the need to compare the efficacy of root and fruit of Gokshura. AIM: This study is planned to assess whether fruit of Gokshura can be substituted for its root using the parameter of diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided in to four groups. The group I control group and group II standard group was orally administered with carboxymethyl cellulose 2% in normal saline and furosemide (20 mg/kg) respectively. Group III was administered orally with decoction of Gokshura root and groups IV with Gokshura fruit decoction, with a dose of 8.64 ml/kg. The diuretic effect was evaluated by measuring urine volume, Na(+), K(+) and Cl(−) ion content in urine. The results were analyzed by applying one-way ANOVA and LSD Post hoc pairwise comparison test. RESULTS: Both test drugs in group III and group IV provided significant increase in urine output when compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Decoction of Gokshura root provided a significant increase in comparison to decoction of Gokshura fruit in regards of sodium (P < 0.01), potassium (P < 0.001), and chloride ion (P < 0.05) excretion. CONCLUSION: Diuretic action of both root and fruit of Gokshura is similar in terms of urine volume, but root is more effective in the basis of ionic excretion. Hence, while treating patients suffering from ionic imbalance, it is better to use fruit of Gokshura for protecting the ionic balance during diuresis. In all other conditions, root can be used for a better diuretic activity.