Diuretic and laxative studies of two mangrove plants: Excoecaria indica (Batul) and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Kankra).

This project work was designed to investigate the leaves of Excoecaria indica and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, two mangrove plants of Bangladesh for their phytochemical nature (chemical group determination of plant constituents) and selected pharmacological assessments such as laxative and diuretic effects. Phytochemical analysis of E. indica (family Euphorbiaceae) extract indicated the presence of reducing sugar, glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids and acidic compounds. In the laxative and diuretic test, the extract showed significant activities at two different doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight respectively. On the other hand, phytochemical analysis of the dried leaves of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L) from the family Rhizophoraceae indicated the presence of of flavonoids, gums, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, glycosides and xanthoproteins. The leaves extract produced significant laxative effect on treated mice at the oral dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight comparable to the standard drug bisacodyl at the dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight. But when tested for diuretic activity, no demonstrable diuretic action was observed on treated mice at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of body weight. Further research on these plants may help to isolate and identify better diuretic and laxative drugs .

• Research Project