Evaluation of Diuretic and Antidiabetic Activity of Esculin

Diuretics are the agents which cause increase in excretion of urine. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multi-factorial disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from an increased hepatic glucose production and diminished insulin secretion. The present study was undertaken to study the diuretic and anti-diabetic activity of esculin. Esculin was found to have potent diuretic activity in normal rats and the potency was comparable to that of standard drug furosemide. The diuretic effects of both concentrations of the drug were indicated by increase in water, sodium and potassium excretion. Esculin also at different doses produced a significant fall in the blood glucose level in both normal and diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner which was evident 4 h after the administration of the drug. Among the two doses of test drug (100 and 200 mg/kg), the later dose showed significant anti-hyperglycemic activity.