Gokhru and Punarnava Diuretics

OBJECTIVE On completion of this period you would be able to know about : The monographs of the Diuretic drugs Gokhru and Punarnava

DEFINITION OF DIURETICS DIURETICS increase the excretion of urine especially the ECF (Extra Cellular Fluid) Clinically useful diuretics increase the excretion of sodium ion there by decreasing the reabsorption of water and solutes Known as the Diuretic response

Gokhru Fig.47.1 Tribulus terrestris plant

GOKHRU Syn: Chota Gokhru (Hindi), Palleru (Telugu), Puncture vine, Goat’s Head Biological Source : Dried ripened fruits of Tribulus terrestris Family: Zygophylaceae Geographical Source: India, Srilanka, Tibet Fig.47.2 Gokhru plant

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS FRUIT Size : 1-1.5 cm Shape : Globose fruits consisting of 5-10 woody cocci each with 2 pairs of hard and sharp divergent spines Colour : Greenish to grey Odour : Odourless Fig.47.3 Gokhru fruit

Fig.47.4 Gokhru fruits

Fig.47.5 Tribulus terrestris dry fruits

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS Contains Saponin Glycosides which on hydrolysis give Diosgenin Ruscogenin Gitogenin Contains Alkaloids Harmine and Harman Also contains Flavone glycosides and fixed oils

USES Used as a Diuretic and tonic in the treatment of Renal Calculus and painful Micturition Used as an Aphrodisiac In the treatment of Gout, Nephritis and Kidney stones Ingredient in Ayurvedic Preparations DASHAMOOLARISHTA and CHYAVANPRASH

PUNARNAVA Syn. : Rakta punarnava,Hog weed Biological Source : Fresh or dried herb of Boerhaavia diffusa Family : Nyctaginaceae Geographical Source : Widely distributed in India

Fig. 47.6 Boerhavia diffusa

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS LEAF Size : 25-30 mm long Shape : Ovate Colour : Green on upper surface Whitish on lower surface Fig. 47.7 Punarnava

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS Stems : Greenish-Purple Flowers: Colour : Pink on the upper part Odour : Odourless Taste : Bitter Fig. 47.8 Punarnava

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS Alkaloids (0.04%) : PUNARNAVINE Nitrogenous compounds : Allointoin, Also contains Potassium nitrate(6%) Urosolic acid β-sitosterol Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Arachidic acid,

USES Used as a diuretic, expectorant and stomachic In the treatment of jaundice In cases of loss of digestive power, enlargement of spleen and abdominal pains Also used in oedema, ascites and asthma In large doses as emetic and in heart diseases

In this class we learnt about : SUMMARY In this class we learnt about : The monographs of drugs Punarnava and Gokhru Sources, Morphology Chemical constituents and the Uses

QUIZ Q 1) Gokhru belongs to the Family a) Leguminosae b) Compositae c) Zygophyllaceae d) Caryophyllaceae

QUIZ Q 2) Which part of the plant Gokhru is used as a drug? a) Leaves b) Stem c) Root d) Fruit

QUIZ Q 3) Punarnava is a) Cardiaotonic b) Anti-diabetic c) CNS drug d) Diuretic

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What are Diuretics? Give two examples Mention the Botanical sources and Macroscopy of Gokhru and Punarnava 3. Write the Chemical constituents and Uses of Gokhru 4. Write the Chemical constituents and Uses of Punarnava