Diuretic Activity of Kalumpang (Stercula foetida L) Methanolic Leaf Extract in Male Albino Sprague Dawley Rats

Introduction: Diuretics are used in patients with hypertension, edema and congestive heart failure. It functions by increasing water secretion into the urine causing a reduction in blood volume and pressure although most diuretics in the market have side effects in contrast to herbal medication with less toxicity. Leaves of Sterculia foetida (Kalumpang) has been used as diuretics in folkloric practices in the Philippines. Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the diuretic activity of the methanolic extract of Kalumpang in male albino Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: Five groups were utilized in the study, negative control, positive control with drug furosemide and experimental group with extract of Kalumpang prepared in low to high concentrations 150, 250 and 350mg/kg. Urinary volume, pH, specific gravity and urinary electrolytes were measured in 5 hour. Data examined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t- test, diuretic property of the extract was measured by modified Lipschitz method. Results: The result indicated that S. foetida in low concentration (150mg/kg) has a moderately positive diuretic index capacity of 1.17, and lipschitz value of 0.66 with an increase in potassium secretion and low sodium ions in the urine. Percentage increase in urine volume was measured hourly and was noted at 1st (12.75%) and 2nd hour (337.5%). Phytochemical analysis revealed presence of metabolites – alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, tannins and triterpenes. Conclusion: The finding of this study provided scientific credential for the folkloric use of Stercula foetida L (Kalumpang) plant extract using quantitative analysis in the diuretic property.