Evaluation of Natriuretic, Kaliuretic, and Chloruretic Responses of Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extract of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. in Wistar Albino Rats

Research Article

Abstract

Renal fluid and electrolyte management is vital for mitigating volume overload in systemic hypertension, congestive heart failure, and nephrotic conditions, yet conventional synthetic therapeutics frequently precipitate severe metabolic derangements and potassium wasting. Botanical secondary metabolites represent chemically diverse templates capable of modulating tubular transport with favorable safety profiles. The present investigation quantitatively establishes the acute saluretic, natriuretic, and diuretic profile of a standardized hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. in normotensive male and female Wistar albino rats employing the classic Lipschitz bioassay. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed abundant specialized secondary metabolites, including saponins, flavonoids, phenolic fractions, tannins, alkaloids, and phytosterols, with confirmed presence of terpenoid and glycosidic nuclei corresponding to dammarane saponin architecture. Oral administration of the hydroalcoholic extract across graded dose cohorts (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight) following standardized physiological saline pre-loading elicited statistically significant, dose-dependent increments in cumulative five-hour urinary excretion relative to vehicle controls. Test cohorts receiving the maximal botanical dose demonstrated an elevated urine output index accompanied by marked renal clearances of sodium, potassium, and chloride, approaching 92% of the ceiling natriuretic efficacy induced by loop diuretic standard furosemide (10 mg/kg). Notably, urinary sodium-to-potassium ratios across extract cohorts remained stable near physiological parity, avoiding excessive kaliuretic divergence. Histomorphological evaluation of renal cortical sections demonstrated intact tubular and glomerular integrity without cytopathic signs of parenchymal necrosis. These results confirm that hydroalcoholic constituents of Bacopa monnieri exert potent saluretic action through tubular transport modulation