Hypouricemic effect of gallic acid, a bioactive compound from Sonneratia apetala leaves and branches, on hyperuricemic mice

Idris A, Khandaker MU. Comprehensive analysis of phytochemical profiling, cytotoxic and antioxidant potentials, and identification of bioactive constituents in methanoic extracts of Sonneratia apetala fruit

In the delta region of Bangladesh, Sonneratia apetala, also known as Keora and mangrove apple, is widely recognized for its dual role as a source of both food and medicine. Seasonal S. apetala fruits were gathered from Hatiya, Noakhali, in October 2021. The samples were segregated into pericarps and seeds, then fractionated into methanol segments. The anti-proliferative activities of these samples against lung A549 cells were evaluated using the Trypan blue exclusion method. Additionally, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was employed to quantify phenolic compounds, while standard protocols facilitated the identification of specific phytochemical constituents. Chemical profiling via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and the isolation and detection of bioactive compounds through column chromatography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis were undertaken. The methanol fractions of the seeds and pericarp were found to contain carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, glycosides, and terpenoids, with the absence of saponins and anthraquinones. Notably, the anti-proliferative effect demonstrated statistical significance at a concentration of 300 μg/mL for both extracts. Furthermore, HPLC analysis identified and quantified six polyphenols: catechin hydrate, (-)-epicatechin, rutin hydrate, trans-ferulic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, myricetin, and kaempferol, with the following concentrations: 46.65 and 12.72; 349.29 and 140.39; 5.26 and 33.06; 10.35 and 29.28; ND and 11.93; and 10.03 and 7.90 mg/100 g in the methanol fraction of the seed and pericarp, respectively. GC-MS analysis of S. apetala fruit revealed five notable compounds with significant peak areas (%): 2-methyltetracosane, tetratetracontane, heptacosane, 1-chloro-2-hexyl-1-octanol, and phenol, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl), exhibiting peak areas of 43.96, 35.8, and 15.95, respectively. Meanwhile, the notable peak in S. apetala seeds was 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester, with a peak area (%) of 100. These compounds are known for their anticancer and antioxidant properties. Therefore, S. apetala, particularly its seeds and fruits, shows promising potential for development into dietary supplements and functional foods.

Anti-hyperuricemia bioactive peptides: a review on obtaining, activity, and mechanism of action

Hyperuricemia, a disorder of uric acid metabolism, serves as a significant risk factor for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and various metabolic syndromes. The main contributors to hyperuricemia include overproduction of uric acid in the liver or impaired excretion in the kidneys. Despite traditional clinical drugs being employed for its treatment, significant health concerns persist. Recently, there has been growing interest in utilizing protein peptides sourced from diverse food origins to mitigate hyperuricemia. This article provides a comprehensive review of bioactive peptides with anti-hyperuricemia properties derived from animals, plants, and their products. We specifically outline the methods for preparing these peptides from food proteins and elucidate their efficacy and mechanisms in combating hyperuricemia, supported by in vitro and in vivo evidence. Uric acid-lowering peptides offer promising prospects due to their safer profile, enhanced efficacy, and improved bioavailability. Therefore, this review underscores significant advancements and contributions in identifying peptides capable of metabolizing purine and/or uric acid, thereby alleviating hyperuricemia. Moreover, it offers a theoretical foundation for the development of functional foods incorporating uric acid-lowering peptides.

Dietary gallic acid as an antioxidant: A review of its food industry applications, health benefits, bioavailability, nano-delivery systems, and drug interactions

Gallic acid (GA), a dietary phenolic acid with potent antioxidant activity, is widely distributed in edible plants. GA has been applied in the food industry as an antimicrobial agent, food fresh-keeping agent, oil stabilizer, active food wrap material, and food processing stabilizer. GA is a potential dietary supplement due to its health benefits on various functional disorders associated with oxidative stress, including renal, neurological, hepatic, pulmonary, reproductive, and cardiovascular diseases. GA is rapidly absorbed and metabolized after oral administration, resulting in low bioavailability, which is susceptible to various factors, such as intestinal microbiota, transporters, and metabolism of galloyl derivatives. GA exhibits a tendency to distribute primarily to the kidney, liver, heart, and brain. A total of 37 metabolites of GA has been identified, and decarboxylation and dihydroxylation in phase I metabolism and sulfation, glucuronidation, and methylation in phase Ⅱ metabolism are considered the main in vivo biotransformation pathways of GA. Different types of nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and nanodots, have been successfully developed to enhance the health-promoting function of GA by increasing bioavailability. GA may induce drug interactions with conventional drugs, such as hydroxyurea, linagliptin, and diltiazem, due to its inhibitory effects on metabolic enzymes, including cytochrome P450 3A4 and 2D6, and transporters, including P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein, and organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B3. In conclusion, in-depth studies of GA on food industry applications, health benefits, bioavailability, nano-delivery systems, and drug interactions have laid the foundation for its comprehensive application as a food additive and dietary supplement.

Hesperitin-Copper(II) Complex Regulates the NLRP3 Pathway and Attenuates Hyperuricemia and Renal Inflammation

BACKGROUND

Hyperuricaemia (HUA) is a disorder of purine metabolism in the body. We previously synthesized a hesperitin (Hsp)-Cu(II) complex and found that the complex possessed strong uric acid (UA)-reducing activity in vitro. In this study we further explored the complex's UA-lowering and nephroprotective effects in vivo.

METHODS

A mouse with HUA was used to investigate the complex's hypouricemic and nephroprotective effects via biochemical analysis, RT-PCR, and Western blot.

RESULTS

Hsp-Cu(II) complex markedly decreased the serum UA level and restored kidney tissue damage to normal in HUA mice. Meanwhile, the complex inhibited liver adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities to reduce UA synthesis and modulated the protein expression of urate transporters to promote UA excretion. Hsp-Cu(II) treatment significantly suppressed oxidative stress and inflammatory in the kidney, reduced the contents of cytokines and inhibited the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Hsp-Cu(II) complex reduced serum UA and protected kidneys from renal inflammatory damage and oxidative stress by modulating the NLRP3 pathway. Hsp-Cu(II) complex may be a promising dietary supplement or nutraceutical for the therapy of hyperuricemia.

Pathology, target discovery, and the evolution of XO inhibitors from the first discovery to recent advances (2020-2023)

Hyperuricemia, a disease characterized by elevation of serum uric acid level beyond 6 mg/dL. This elevation led to appearance of symptoms from joint pain to gout and from gout to difficulty in mobility of the patient. So, in this review, we have summarized the pathology of hyperuricemia, discovery of target and discovery of first XO inhibitor. At last, this review provides in-sights about the recently discovered as natural XO inhibitors, followed by design, structure activity relationship and biological activity of synthetic compounds as XO inhibitors discovered between 2020 and 2023 years. At last, the pharmacophores generated in this study will guide new researchers to design and modify the structure of novel XO inhibitors.

Core-shell structured microneedles with programmed drug release functions for prolonged hyperuricemia management

An appropriate non-oral platform via transdermal delivery of drugs is highly recommended for the treatment of hyperuricemia. Herein, a core-shell structured microneedle patch with programmed drug release functions was designed to regulate serum uric acid (SUA) levels for prolonged hyperuricemia management. The patch was fabricated using a three-step casting method. Allopurinol (AP), an anti-hyperuricemic drug, was encapsulated within the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) layer, forming the "shell" of the MNs. The MN's inner core was composed of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) loaded with urate oxidase-calcium peroxide nanoparticles (UOx-CaO2 NPs). When the as-fabricated core-shell structured microneedles were inserted into the skin, the loaded AP was first released immediately to effectively inhibit the production of SUA due to the water solubility of CMC. Subsequently, the internal SUA was further metabolized by UOx, leading to exposure of CaO2 NPs. The sustained release of UOx accompanied by the decomposition of CaO2 NPs contributed to maintaining a state of normal uric acid levels over an extended period. More attractively, uric acid could be oxidized due to the strong oxidant of CaO2, which was beneficial to the continuous consumption of uric acid. In vivo results showed that the as-fabricated MNs exhibited an excellent anti-hyperuricemia effect to reduce SUA levels to the normal state within 3 h and maintain the normouricemia state for 12 h. In addition, the levels of creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the serum remained within the normal range, and the activities of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) in the liver were effectively inhabited, mitigating the risk of liver and kidney damage for clinical anti-hyperuricemia management.

Chinese Sumac (Rhus chinensis Mill.) Fruits Prevent Hyperuricemia and Uric Acid Nephropathy in Mice Fed a High-Purine Yeast Diet

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a prevalent chronic disease, characterized by excessive blood uric acid levels, that poses a significant health risk. In this study, the preventive effects and potential mechanisms of ethanol extracts from Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis Mill.) fruits on HUA and uric acid nephropathy were comprehensively investigated. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in uric acid levels in hyperuricemia mice after treatment with Chinese sumac fruit extract, especially in the high-dose group, where the blood uric acid level decreased by 39.56%. Visual diagrams of the kidneys and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections showed the extract's effectiveness in protecting against kidney damage caused by excessive uric acid. Further investigation into its mechanism revealed that the extract prevents and treats hyperuricemia by decreasing uric acid production, enhancing uric acid excretion, and mitigating the oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions induced by excessive uric acid in the kidneys. Specifically, the extract markedly decreased xanthine oxidase (XOD) levels and expression in the liver, elevated the expression of uric acid transporters ABCG2, and lowered the expression of uric acid reabsorption proteins URAT1 and SLC2A9. Simultaneously, it significantly elevated the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH) while reducing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, the expression of uric-acid-related proteins NLRP3, ACS, and Caspase-3 and the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly reduced. The experimental results confirm that Chinese sumac fruit extract can improve HUA and uric acid nephropathy in mice fed a high-purine yeast diet. This finding establishes a theoretical foundation for developing Chinese sumac fruit as a functional food or medicine for preventing and treating HUA.

Self-Assembled nanoparticles Combining Berberine and Sodium Taurocholate for Enhanced Anti-Hyperuricemia Effect

Propose

Berberine (BBR) is extensively studied as an outstanding anti-hyperuricemia drug. However, the clinical application of BBR was limited due to its poor absorption and low bioavailability. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity to find a novel drug formulation to address the issues of BBR in clinical application.

Methods

Herein, we conducted the solubility, characterization experiments to verify whether BBR and sodium taurocholate (STC) self-assembled nanoparticles (STC@BBR-SANPs) could form. Furthermore, we proceeded the release experiment in vitro and in vivo to investigate the drug release effect. Finally, we explored the therapeutic effect of STC@BBR-SANPs on hyperuricemia (HUA) through morphological observation of organs and measurement of related indicators.

Results

The solubility, particle size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and stability studies showed that the stable STC@BBR-SANPs could be formed in the BBR-STC system at ratio of 1:4. Meanwhile, the tissue distribution experiments revealed that the STC@BBR-SANPs could accelerate the absorption and distribution of BBR. In addition, the pharmacology study demonstrated that both BBR and STC@BBR-SANPs exhibited favorable anti-HUA effects and nephroprotective effects, while STC@BBR-SANPs showed better therapeutic action than that of BBR.

Conclusion

This work indicated that STC@BBR-SANPs can be self-assembly formed, and exerts excellent uric acid-lowering effect. STC@BBR-SANPs can help to solve the problems of poor solubility and low absorption rate of BBR in clinical use, and provide a new perspective for the future development of BBR.

Research progress on the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia by medicinal and edible plants and its bioactive components

Hyperuricemia is another common metabolic disease, which is considered to be closely related to the development of many chronic diseases, in addition to the "three highs." Currently, although drugs show positive therapeutic effects, they have been shown to produce side effects that can damage the body. There is growing evidence that medicinal and edible plants and their bioactive components have a significant effect on hyperuricemia. In this paper, we review common medicinal and edible plants with uric acid-lowering effects and summarize the uric acid-lowering mechanisms of different bioactive components. Specifically, the bioactive components are divided into five categories: flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and saponins. These active substances exhibit positive uric acid-lowering effects by inhibiting uric acid production, promoting uric acid excretion, and improving inflammation. Overall, this review examines the potential role of medicinal and edible plants and their bioactive components as a means of combating hyperuricemia, with the hope of providing some reference value for the treatment of hyperuricemia.

Naringin abrogates angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and podocin signalling pathway in cobalt chloride-induced nephrotoxicity and hypertension

PurposeThe persistent and alarming rates of increase in cardiovascular and renal diseases caused by chemicals such as cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) in mammalian tissues have led to the use of various drugs for the treatment of these diseases. This study aims at evaluating the nephron-protective action of Naringin (NAR), a metal-chelating antioxidant against CoCl₂-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity.MethodsForty-two male Wistar rats were randomly distributed to seven rats of six groups and classified into Group A (Control), Group B (300 part per million; ppm CoCl₂), Group C (300 ppm CoCl₂ + 80 mg/kg NAR), Group D (300 ppm CoCl₂ + 160 mg/kg NAR), Group E (80 mg/kg NAR), and Group F (160 mg/kg NAR). NAR and CoCl₂ were administered via oral gavage for seven days. Biomarkers of renal damage, oxidative stress, antioxidant status, blood pressure parameters, immunohistochemistry of renal angiotensin-converting enzyme and podocin were determined.ResultsCobalt chloride intoxication precipitated hypertension, renal damage, and oxidative stress. Immunohistochemistry revealed higher expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and podocin in rats administered only CoCl₂.ConclusionTaken together, the antioxidant and metal-chelating action of Naringin administration against cobalt chloride-induced renal damage and hypertension could be through abrogation of angiotensin-converting enzyme and podocin signalling pathway.