1. Gokhru and Punarnava
Diuretics

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

3. 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

4. Gokhru
Fig.47.1 Tribulus terrestris plant

5. 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

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

7. Fig.47.4 Gokhru fruits

8. Fig.47.5 Tribulus terrestris dry fruits

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

10. 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

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

12. Fig Boerhavia diffusa

13. MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
LEAF
Size : mm long
Shape : Ovate
Colour : Green on upper
surface Whitish on
lower surface
Fig Punarnava

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

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

16. 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

17. 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

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

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

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

21. 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