Anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of Modified Simiao Decoction in hyperuricemic mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Modified Simiao Decoction (MSD), based on clinical experience, has been used for decades and famous for its efficiency in treating hyperuricemic and gouty diseases.

Aim of the study

To investigate the effects of MSD on anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects are involved in potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice.

Materials and methods

The effects of MSD were investigated in hyperuricemic mice induced by potassium oxonate. MSD were fed to hyperuricemic mice daily at a dose of 0.45, 0.90, 1.80 g/kg for 10 days, and allopurinol (5 mg/kg) was given as a positive control. Serum and urine levels of uric acid and creatinine, and fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) were determined by colorimetric method. Its nephroprotective effects were evaluated by determining a panel of oxidative stress markers after the intervention in hyperuricemic mice. Simultaneously, protein levels of urate transporter 1 (URAT1) and organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) in the kidney were analyzed by Western blotting.

Results

MSD could inhibit XOD activities in serum and liver, decrease levels of serum uric acid, serum creatinine and BUN, and increased levels of urine uric acid, urine creatinine, FEUA dose-dependently through down-regulation of URAT1 and up-regulation of OAT1 protein expressions in the renal tissue of hyperuricemic mice. It also effectively reversed oxonate-induced alterations on renal MDA levels and SOD activities in this model.

Conclusion

MSD processes uricosuric and nephroprotective actions by regulating renal urate transporters and enhancing antioxidant enzymes activities to improve renal dysfunction in hyperuricemic mice.     

车前子醇提物降低急性高尿酸血症小鼠血尿酸水平及机制研究

目的:探讨车前子醇提物对高尿酸血症小鼠血清尿酸水平的影响及降尿酸作用机制.方法:车前子低、中、高剂量(1.17,2.34,4.68 g·kg-1)和别嘌呤醇(10 mg·kg-1)ig连续7d,建立小鼠高尿酸血症模型,观测对氧嗪酸钾盐诱导的急性高尿酸血症小鼠血清尿酸与肌酐含量、肝脏黄嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)与腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)的活性、肾脏尿酸转运体(mURAT1)mRNA表达的影响.结果:与正常组比,模型组小鼠血清尿酸与肌酐含量和肝脏XOD与ADA活性显著增高,并上调肾脏尿酸转运体mURAT1 mRNA的表达.提取物低、中、高剂量组血清尿酸分别为(178.32±10.26),(148.77±13.59),(160.28±14.65)μmol·L-1,明显低于模型组(235.65±19.38) μmol·L-1(P ＜0.01).血清肌酐分别为(56.12±4.58),(50.97±3.27),(52.45±4.66) μmol·L-1,明显低于模型组(107.59±8.32) μmol·L-1(P ＜0.01).肝脏XOD活性分别为(23.18±3.72),(16.96±2.45),(14.62±3.43) U·g-1,明显低于模型组(24.39±3.58) U·g-1 (P ＜0.05).ADA活性分别为(4.70±0.44),(3.89±0.24),(4.08±0.58) U·mg-1,明显低于模型组(5.92±0.84) U·mg-1 (P ＜0.05,P＜0.oi).肾尿酸转运体mURAT1 mRNA的表达分别为1.83±0.12,1.52±0.13,1.72±0.11,明显低于模型组2.22 ±0.1(P ＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论:车前子醇提物能够降低高尿酸血症模型小鼠的血尿酸,改善高尿酸血症小鼠肾脏功能.抑制XOD与ADA活性并下调肾脏尿酸转运体mURAT1 mRNA的表达,是其降低高尿酸血症小鼠血清尿酸水平的可能机制.     

Effects of cassia oil on serum and hepatic uric acid levels in oxonate-induced mice and xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase activities in mouse liver

We investigated the hypouricemic effects of cassia oil extracted from Cinnamomum cassia using hyperuricemic mice induced by potassium oxonate, and its inhibitory actions against liver xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities. Oral administration of cassia oil significantly reduced serum and hepatic urate levels in hyperuricemic mice in a time- and dose-dependent manner. At doses of 450 mg/kg of cassia oil or above, serum urate levels of the oxonate-pretreated mice were not different from the normal control mice. Cassia oil at 600 mg/kg was found to be as potent as allopurinol, which reduced hepatic urate levels to lower than normal. In normal mice, urate levels in liver, but not in serum, were altered with dose-dependent decrease after cassia oil treatment. Furthermore, the ratio, liver uric acid/serum uric acid, was determined after cassia oil administration with time- and dose-dependent decreases in hyperuricemic mice. The positive dose-dependent decrease ratio was also observed after cassia oil treatment in the normal animals. The decreased extent of ratio elicited by cassia oil in normal mice appeared to be greater than that in the hyperuricemic animal. In addition, cassia oil significantly exhibited marked reductions in liver XDH/XOD activities, with an apparent dose-dependence in the normal and hyperuricemic mice. The onset of inhibition in enzyme activities elicited by allopurinol was much higher than that elicited by cassia oil. These results suggested that hypouricemic effects of cassia oil could be explained, at least partly, by inhibiting liver in vivo activities of XDH/XOD.     

3,5,2′,4′-四羟基查尔酮对小鼠血尿酸及肝脏XOD/XDH的影响

 目的 研究3,5,2′,4′-四羟基查尔酮(P40)对氧嗪酸钾诱导的高尿酸血症小鼠尿酸水平及肝脏黄嘌呤氧化还原酶的影响(量效及时效关系)。方法 腹腔注射尿酸酶抑制剂氧嗪酸钾(450 mg·kg ^-1体重)复制高尿酸血症小鼠模型。用磷钨酸法测定血尿酸(uric acid,UA)水平;用Elisa方法测定肝脏黄嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)及黄嘌呤脱氢酶(XDH)的含量。结果 灌胃给予3,5,2′,4′-四羟基查尔酮(0.5~4.0 mg·kg ^-1)后,显著降低高尿酸血症小鼠的血清尿酸水平和肝脏中黄嘌呤氧化酶的含量,与模型组相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。灌胃给予别嘌醇30 min、3,5,2′,4′-四羟基查尔酮 60 min时即能显著降低高尿酸小鼠血清尿酸水平;给予3,5,2′,4′-四羟基查尔酮/别嘌醇15、30、60、90 min后,均能降低肝脏中黄嘌呤氧化酶及黄嘌呤脱氢酶的含量,与模型组相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论 ①3,5,2′,4′-四羟基查尔酮可降低氧嗪酸钾所致高尿酸血症小鼠的尿酸水平,起效时间慢于别嘌醇;② 3,5,2′,4′-四羟基查尔酮的降尿酸作用与抑制黄嘌呤氧化还原酶活性有关。     

Pharmacological basis for use of Lychnophora trichocarpha in gouty arthritis: anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects of its extract, fraction and constituents

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The ethanolic extract of Lychnophora trichocarpha Spreng. is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat bruise, pain and inflammatory diseases.

Aim of the study

The present study aimed at investigating whether ethanolic extract of L. trichocarpha, its ethyl acetate fraction and its main bioactive compounds could be useful to treat gouty arthritis by countering hyperuricemia and inflammation.

Materials and methods

L. trichocarpha ethanolic extract (LTE), ethyl acetate fraction from ethanolic extract (LTA) and isolated compounds were evaluated for urate-lowering activity and liver xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. Anti-inflammatory activity in monosodium urate crystal-induced paw oedema, an experimental model of gouty arthritis, was also investigated.

Results

Crude ethanolic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction showed significant urate-lowering effects. LTE was also able to significantly inhibit liver xantine oxidase (XOD) activity in vivo at the dose of 250 mg/kg. Luteolin, apigenin, lupeol, lychnopholide and eremantholide C showed the anti-hyperuricemic activities among tested compounds. Apigenin also showed XOD inhibitory activity in vivo. Luteolin, lychnopholide, lupeol and eremantholide C, in turn, did not shown significant inhibitory activity towards this enzyme, indicating that this mechanism is not likely to be involved in urate-lowering effects of those compounds. LTE, LTA, lupeol, β-sitosterol, lychnopholide, eremantholide, luteolin and apigenin were also found to inhibit monosodium urate crystals-induced paw oedema in mice.

Conclusions

Ethanolic extract of Lychnophora trichocarpha and some of its bioactive compounds may be promising agents for the treatment of gouty arthritis since they possesses both anti-hiperuricemic and anti-inflammatory properties.     

桂枝汤对高尿酸血症小鼠肾保护作用的研究

目的：研究桂枝汤对高尿酸血症小鼠肾保护作用及其机制。方法：用氧嗪酸钾诱导小鼠产生高尿酸血症模型,并随机分为6组：空白对照组、模型对照组、别嘌呤醇组（5 mg·kg^-1）、桂枝汤组（900、1 799和3 598 mg·kg^-1）。苏木精-伊红染色观察小鼠肾脏组织病理学变化;商品化试剂盒测定小鼠血清和尿液中尿酸、肌酐和尿素氮水平以及肝脏黄嘌呤氧化（XOD）活性。采用Western blot方法检测动物肾脏尿酸盐转运子（URAT1）、葡萄糖转运子9（GLUT9）、三磷酸腺苷结合转运蛋白G超家族成员2（ABCG2）、有机阳离子转运子1（OCT1）、OCT2、有机阳离子/肉毒碱转运子1（OCTN1）和OCTN2。结果：与模型对照组比较,桂枝汤可明显降低高尿酸血症小鼠血清尿酸、肌酐和尿素氮水平,增加尿液尿酸和肌酐浓度,提高尿酸排泄分数。另外,桂枝汤可有效抑制高尿酸血症小鼠肝脏XOD活性,下调模型动物肾脏URAT1和GLUT9蛋白水平,上调肾脏ABCG2、OCT1、OCT2、OCTN1和OCTN2蛋白水平。结论：桂枝汤可能通过抑制高尿酸血症小鼠肝脏XOD活性以减少尿酸生成、调节肾脏有机离子转运子蛋白水平以促进尿酸及其他有机离子排泄,从而发挥其降尿酸和肾保护作用。     

Study on the correlation between constituents detected in serum from Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae and the reduction of uric acid levels in hyperuricemia

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae (RSG) has been used in the clinical treatment of gout and hyperuricemia in China for thousands of years. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that RSG exhibits hypouricemic effects because of its significant inhibitory effect on the activity of xanthine oxidase.

Materials and methods

The Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae extract (RSGE) at 1 mL/100 g oral administration was demonstrated to possess in vivo potent hypouricemic effects in hyperuricemic rats pretreated with oxonic acid potassium salt (200 mg/kg, 2 mL/kg). UPLC–MS was used to identify the constituents absorbed in the serum. In addition, a bivariate correlation analysis between the changes in the relative contents of the constituents from RSGE detected by HPLC and the serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats at different points in time was used to calculate their correlation coefficients.

Results

A total of 14 constituents were observed in the RSGE-treated rat serum, and 11 of these were inferred. An RSGE constituent was considered correlated with the hypouricemic effects if its correlation coefficient was above 0.5. The results suggested that only seven of the constituents absorbed in the serum of the hyperuricemic rats were correlated with hypouricemic effects, namely, palmitic acid, 3′-O-methyltaxifolin glucuronide, 3′-O-methyiastilbin glucuronide, astilbin glucuronide, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid glucuronide, resveratrol glucuronide, and dihydrokaempferol.

Conclusion

These findings provide potent evidence for the study on RSG as a pharmacodynamic material basis and for developing RSG as a safe and promising natural drug to prevent hyperuricemia and gout instead of allopurinol.     

基于叶绿体全基因组的贝母属特异性DNA条形码的筛选

本研究通过对贝母属4个物种叶绿体基因组进行全局分析,分别查找基因区域和基因间区的高变异区域,筛选用于高效鉴别贝母属植物的新DNA条形码序列。相关研究发现贝母属植物的基因区域序列相似度极高,不适用于DNA条形码鉴定研究;共有7个基因间区可以作为潜在的贝母属植物鉴定的特异性DNA条形码。本研究所构建的DNA条形码筛选方法,为筛选用于难鉴定科属的新的DNA条形码提供了通用的方法体系。     

五苓散对高尿酸血症小鼠降尿酸及肾保护机制的研究（英文）

目的：研究五苓散对高尿酸血症小鼠降尿酸和肾保护作用并探索其可能的作用机制。方法：在氧嗪酸钾连续7天诱导小鼠产生高尿酸血症模型同时每天灌胃给予不同剂量五苓散（每组10只）,并以别嘌呤醇作为阳性药对照。分别测定每组动物血清尿酸、肌酐及尿液尿酸、肌酐等水平并计算其尿酸排泄分数。采用RT-PCR和Westernblot方法分别测定小鼠肾脏尿酸盐重吸收转运体1（mURAT1）、葡萄糖转运体9（mGLUT9）、有机阴离子转运体1（mOAT1）、有机阳离子转运体1和2（mOCT1、mOCT2）及肉毒碱转运体2（mOCTN2）mRNA及蛋白表达水平。结果：与模型组比较,五苓散显著降低高尿酸血症小鼠血清尿酸与肌酐水平,促进尿酸和肌酐排泄,提高尿酸排泄分数,呈现出促进肾脏尿酸排泄与肾保护作用。五苓散显著下调高尿酸血症动物肾脏mURAT1、mGLUT9mRNA及蛋白表达水平,并上调mOAT1、mOCT1、mOCT2以及mOCTN2mRNA及蛋白表达水平。结论：这些结果表明五苓散可介导肾脏有机离子转运体表达以促进高尿酸血症和肾功能异常动物尿酸排泄并发挥其肾保护作用。     

Effects of Biota orientalis extract and its flavonoid constituents, quercetin and rutin on serum uric acid levels in oxonate-induced mice and xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase activities in mouse liver

The hypouricemic actions of Biota orientalis (BO) extract and its flavonoid constituents quercetin and rutin, were in vivo examined using oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. Quercetin and rutin, when administered three times orally to the oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice, were able to elicit dose-dependent hypouricemic effects. The effects of quercetin and rutin were more potent than that of Biota orientalis extract at the same dose of 100 mg/kg. At doses of 50 mg/kg of quercetin or above, or at doses of 100 mg/kg of rutin or above, the serum urate levels of the oxonate-pretreated mice were not different from normal mice. In addition, Biota orientalis extract, quercetin and rutin, when tested in vivo on mouse liver homogenates, elicited significant inhibitory actions on the xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase (XDH/XO) activities. The effects of quercetin and rutin resulted less potent than that of allopurinol. However, intraperitoneal administration at the same scheme did not produce any observable hypouricemic effect. These hypouricemic effects are partly due to the inhibition of XDH/XO activities in mouse liver. The pharmacological profile of the flavonoids is partly different from that of allopurinol. Such hypouricemic action and inhibition of the enzyme activity of quercetin and rutin may be responsible for a part of the beneficial effects of Biota orientalis extract on hyperuricemia and gout. The effects of quercetin and rutin on serum urate levels in hyperuricemic mice induced by oxonate and the inhibition of enzyme activities in mouse liver are discussed in relation to their absorption and metabolism, and their potential application to treat gout and hyperuricemia.     

Pretreatment with Jieduxiezhuo decoction impedes elevations in serum uric acid levels in mice

Objective

To investigate whether Jieduxiezhuo decoction (JDXZD) can prevent serum uric acid elevations in mice.

Methods

Hyperuricemia in mice was induced by intraperitoneally administering uric acid (250 mg/kg). Concentrations of uric acid in serum were determined using the uric acid enzyme method. Mice were treated with JDXZD for 4 days before uric acid was administered.

Results

After intraperitoneal injection of uric acid, serum uric acid concentrations in mice significantly increased. However, the levels of uric acid in groups pretreated with 16.25 or 4.06 g/kg of JDXZD were significantly lower than those in the model and normal groups.

Conclusion

Pretreatment with JDXZD slowed increases in serum uric acid levels in mice intraperitoneally administered uric acid.     

金钱草提取物对高尿酸血症小鼠的影响

目的:研究金钱草水提取物对高尿酸血症小鼠影响。方法:选择化学诱导剂氧嗪酸钾盐作为尿酸酶抑制剂,ip小鼠造成高尿酸血症模型。采用磷钼酸还原法测定小鼠血清尿酸水平。不同剂量金钱草水提取物ig给药,持续3d。结果:金钱草水提取物(5.2,10.8,20.8g·kg^-1·d^-1)能显著地减少高尿酸血症小鼠血清尿酸水平,而对正常小鼠的血清尿酸水平无显著性影响。结论:金钱草水提取物对高尿酸血症小鼠具有降低血清尿酸水平作用。     

Mechanisms of antihyperuricemic effect of Phyllanthus niruri and its lignan constituents

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Phyllanthus niruri Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) is used as folk medicine in South America to treat excess uric acid. Our initial study showed that the methanol extract of Phyllanthus niruri and its lignans were able to reverse the plasma uric acid of hyperuricemic animals.

Aim of the study

The study was undertaken to investigate the mechanisms of antihyperuricemic effect of Phyllanthus niruri and its lignan constituents.

Material and methods

The mechanisms were investigated using xanthine oxidase assay and uricosuric studies in potassium oxonate- and uric acid-induced hyperuricemic rats.

Results

Phyllanthus niruri methanol extract exhibited in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibition with an IC₅₀ of 39.39 μg/mL and a moderate in vivo xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. However, the lignans display poor xanthine oxidase inhibition in vitro and a relatively weak in vivo inhibitory activity at 10 mg/kg. On the other hand, intraperitoneal treatment with Phyllanthus niruri methanol extract showed 1.69 folds increase in urinary uric acid excretion when compared to the hyperuricemic control animals. Likewise, the lignans, phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin and phyltetralin exhibited up to 2.51 and 11.0 folds higher in urinary uric acid excretion and clearance, respectively. The co-administration of pyrazinamide with phyllanthin exhibited a significant suppression of phyllanthin's uricosuric activity resembling that of pyrazinamide with benzbromarone.

Conclusions

The present study showed that the antihyperuricemic effect of Phyllanthus niruri methanol extract may be mainly due to its uricosuric action and partly through xanthine oxidase inhibition, whereas the antihyperuricemic effect of the lignans was attributed to their uricosuric action.     

Effect and mechanism of total saponin of Dioscorea on animal experimental hyperuricemia

In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of Total Saponin of Dioscorea (TSD) on animal experimental hyperuricemia. Mouse and rat hyperuricemic models were made by orally administering yeast extract paste once a day (30 and 20 g/kg, respectively), for 7 days. Yeast would disturb normal purine metabolism by increasing xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity and generating large quantities of uric acid. This model is similar to human hyperuricemia, which is induced by high-protein diets, due to a purine and nucleic acid metabolic disturbance. Another mouse hyperuricemia model was generated by intraperitoneal injection once with uric acid 250 mg/kg or potassium oxonate 300 mg/kg. Potassium oxonate, a urate oxidase inhibitor, can raise the serum uric acid level by inhibiting the decomposition of uric acid. Likewise, injecting uric acid can also increase serum uric acid concentration. The concentration of uric acid in serum or urine was detected by the phosphotungstic acid method, and the activity of XOD was assayed by a test kit. The results showed that TSD (240, 120 and 60 mg/kg, ig) could significantly lower the level of serum uric acid in hyperuricemic mice. TSD (120 and 60 mg/kg, ig) could also lower the level of serum uric acid in hyperuricemic rats, reduce the activity of XOD in the serum and liver of hyperuricemic rats, and increase the level of urine uric acid concentration as well as 24-hour total uric acid excretion. In conclusion, TSD possesses a potent anti-hyperuricemic effect on hyperuricemic animals, and the mechanism may be relevant in accelerating the excretion and decreasing the production of uric acid.     

泄浊除痹汤对高尿酸血症小鼠血尿酸的影响

目的：观察泄浊除痹汤对高尿酸血症小鼠血清尿酸水平的影响。方法：采用尿酸生成的前体物质次黄嘌呤（Hypoxanthine）为模型药物，制备高尿酸血症动物模型，并观察泄浊除痹汤（由中药土茯苓、萆薜、生薏苡仁、威灵仙、木瓜、泽兰、王不留行、牛膝、生蒲黄、泽泻、车前草、山慈菇等药物组成）的作用。结果：口服泄浊除痹汤与别嘌呤醇均能显著地减少高尿酸血症小鼠血清尿酸水平，具有一定的量效关系。结论：泄浊除痹汤对高尿酸血症小鼠具有明显降低血清尿酸水平作用。     

Uric acid lowering effect of Tibetan Medicine RuPeng15 powder in animal models of hyperuricemia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the Tibetan medicine Ru Peng15 powder(RPP15) on uric acid levels, and explore its possible mechanisms of action in hyperuricemic animal models.METHODS: Hyperuricemic mice were generated by orally administering yeast extract paste twice daily(30 g/kg) for 8 days, to mimic human hyperuricemia induced by high-protein diets. Hyperuricemic rats were generated by intraperitoneal injection of 250 mg/kg potassium oxonate to each animal 1 h before the last oral administration of test compounds, which raised the serum uric acid level by inhibiting the decomposition of uric acid. Levels of uric acid and creatinine in serum and urine were detected by the phosphotungstic acid and picric acid methods respectively, and the activity of xanthine oxidase(XOD) was assayed using a commercial test kit.RESULTS: RPP15(0.4, 0.8, 1.2 g/kg) significantly decreased the level of serum uric acid in healthy rats(P 0.05). Furthermore, hyperuricemic rats treated with RPP15(0.4, 0.8, 1.2 g/kg) had lower serum uric acid levels(P 0.05), accompanied by lower urine uric acid(P 0.05). For the hyperuricemic mice, the levels of uric acid in the serum decreased significantly(P 0.05) and the activity of XOD in the liver was restored to normal levels after treatment with RPP15(P 0.05).CONCLUSION: RPP15(0.4, 0.8, 1.2 g/kg) demonstrated an anti-hyperuricemic effect on both healthy and hyperuricemic animals, and the mechanism is most likely associated with inhibiting the activity of XOD.     

Anti-urolithiatic effects of Punica granatum in male rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The traditional use of Punica granatum has been reported to regulate urine discharge and controls the burning sensation of urine.

Materials and methods

Animals model of calcium oxalate urolithiasis was developed in male rats by adding ethylene glycol 0.75% in drinking water. The Punica granatum chloroform extract (PGCE) and Punica grantum methanol extract (PGME) orally at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, were administered along with ethylene glycol for 28 days. On 28 day, 24 h urine was collected from individual rats and used for estimation of urine calcium, phosphate and oxalate. The serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels were estimated in each animal. The kidney homogenate was used for the estimation of renal oxalate contents. The paraffin kidney sections were prepared to observe the CaOx deposits.

Results

The ethylene glycol control (Gr.-II) had significant (P < 0.001 vs. normal) increase in levels of urine oxalate, calcium and phosphate, serum creatinine, urea and uric acid and renal tissues oxalates, as compared to normal (Gr.-I). The paraffin kidney sections show significant histopathological changes. The treatment of PGCE and PGME at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, significantly (P < 0.001 vs. control) decreased the urine oxalate, calcium and phosphate, renal tissue oxalates and serum creatinine, urea and uric acid, in EG induced urolithiasis after 28 days.

Conclusions

The PGCE and PGME at the doses of 400 mg/kg, found to be more effective in decreasing the urolithiasis and regeneration of renal tissues in male rats.     

Hypouricemic effects of phenylpropanoid glycosides acteoside of Scrophularia ningpoensis on serum uric acid levels in potassium oxonate-pretreated Mice

Phenylpropanoid glycoside acteoside was extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Scrophularia ningpoenis Hemsl. In the present study, we investigated the effects of acteoside administration on serum uric acid levels in mice rendered hyperuricemic with the uricase inhibitor potassium oxonate. When administered orally for 3 days at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, acteoside reduced serum uric acid levels by 15.2, 23.8 and 33.1%, respectively, relative to vehicle-treated hyperuricemic mice. Importantly, in non-hyperuricemic mice, the serum uric acid levels were not affected by acetoside treatment. Acteoside also inhibited mouse liver xanthine dehydrogenase XDH and xanthine oxidase XO activity at all three doses. These results suggest that the hypouricemic action of acteoside may be attributable to its inhibition of XDH/XO activity.