MEDICINAL PLANTS EXHIBITING DIURETIC ACTIVITY: PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE

Millions of patients suffer from hypertension, edema, congestive heart failure, and renal disorders. Diuretics are widely prescribed drugs that increase urine flow and sodium excretion to regulate body fluids and treat hypertension. However, long-term use of synthetic diuretics may cause electrolyte imbalance and nephrotoxicity, creating a need for safer plant-based alternatives. Plants such as Mimosa pudica, Aerva lanata, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Mangifera indica, and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis have shown significant diuretic activity in animal models. Phytochemicals including flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and glycosides contribute to diuretic effects through inhibition of renal tubular reabsorption, aquaporin modulation, glomerular filtration, and antioxidant activity. This review highlights the phytochemicals, mechanisms, experimental evidence, and therapeutic potential of plant-based diuretics.