Evaluation of Diuretic and Saliuretic Potential of Beta vulgaris (Beet Root) at Different Doses

Background: Natural foods are presently being evaluated for their pharmacological activity. They are comparatively safer and possess fewer adverse effects. Objective: The current study was designed to evaluate the diuretic effect of different doses of lyophilized Beta vulgaris. Methodology: Aqueous solution of Beta vulgaris at doses of (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) was administered to rats. Furosemide 40 mg/70kg and distilled water were used as standard and control respectively. Metabolic cage was used for evaluation of diuretic effect. Diuretic effect was observed 24 hours after orally administering the drugs. The urine output, pH, sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphorus were measured. Result: Beta vulgaris showed highly significant (p<0.001) diuretic activity as compared to control. Both doses of Beta vulgaris also showed highly significant (p<0.001) effect on sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphorus excretion as compared to control. Both doses of Beta vulgaris showed alkalization of urine. Conclusion: From our study we came to conclude that Beta vulgaris at 500 mg/kg can be used as a diuretic agent where as at 1000 mg/kg dose it not only possesses diuretic potential but also doesn’t cause hypokalemia and is also very useful in treating hyperphosphatemia as it increases excretion of phosphate in urine.