Rosehip inhibits xanthine oxidase activity and reduces serum urate levels in a mouse model of hyperuricemia

Evaluation of anti-hyperuricemic effects of Alocasia longiloba Miq. (Keladi Candik) extracts in potassium oxonate induced rat model

Hyperuricemia has become a significant public-health concern in recent years, and the available treatments have been reported to have an adverse side effect on patients. Alocasia longiloba has been used traditionally in Malaysia for treating gout, inflammation, and wounds. However, the plant has not been investigated for its effects on hyperuricemia. This study investigated the anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects of A. longiloba extracts in hyperuricemic rats induced by potassium oxonate (250 mg/kg body weight). Rats were given A. longiloba extracts or a standard drug for two-week, and blood and tissue samples were collected for analysis. Results show that A. longiloba extracts significantly reduced serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats and inhibited xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity in the liver and kidney, which could be the mechanism underlying the urate-lowering effects. The extracts also significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-18 and IL-1β) in serum samples and had hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects in hyperuricemic rats. The study supports the use of A. longiloba as a complementary therapy for treating hyperuricemia.

Improvement of Phenolic Compound Extraction by Using Ion Exchange Chromatography and Evaluation of Biological Activities of Polyphenol-enriched Fraction of Rosa canina Fruits

Background

Rosa canina has been traditionally known as a medicinal plant. Different applications of fruits (Rose hip) comprise the food, perfume, and cosmetic industries.

Objectives

This study aimed to prepare an enriched polyphenolic fraction from Rosa canina in addition to its biological activities.

Methods

Poly phenolic enriched fraction was prepared using Amberlite XAD-7 for removing unwanted components. Phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins content analyses showed that they increased significantly compared to the extract. HPLC analysis showed that this fraction is a rich source of ascorbic acid.

Results

The results of the DPPH, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), ABTS, and nitric oxide assay confirmed that the antioxidant activities of the fraction had been increased compared to the extract. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and cellular antioxidant activity of the fraction also confirmed its potential antioxidant activity. This fraction showed xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity at 100 µg/mL concentration. Comet assay analysis revealed that this fraction at 25 - 100 µg/mL concentrations inhibited H₂O₂ genotoxicity in human lymphocytes.

Conclutions

This study suggests that the fruit of Rosa canina could be considered as a potential antioxidant, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, and an antigenotoxic source, and the application of Amberlite XAD-7 improves extraction efficiencies through enrichment of phenolic compounds in this plant.

Plants and their Bioactive Compounds as a Possible Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Traumatic brain injury is an outcome of the physical or mechanical impact of external forces on the brain. Thus, the silent epidemic has complex pathophysiology affecting the brain along with extracranial or systemic complications in more than one organ system, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal and endocrine system. which is referred to as Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome. It is driven by three interconnected mechanisms such as systemic hyperinflammation, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, and immunosuppression-induced sepsis. These multifaceted pathologies accelerate the risk of mortality in clinical settings by interfering with the functions of distant organs through hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, acute lung injury, neurogenic pulmonary edema, reduced gastrointestinal motility, Cushing ulcers, acute liver failure, acute kidney injury, coagulopathy, endocrine dysfunction, and many other impairments. The pharmaceutical treatment approach for this is highly specific in its mode of action and linked to a variety of side effects, including hallucinations, seizures, anaphylaxis, teeth, bone staining, etc. Therefore, alternative natural medicine treatments are widely accepted due to their broad complementary or synergistic effects on the physiological system with minor side effects.

CONCLUSION

This review is a compilation of the possible mechanisms behind the occurrence of multiorgan dysfunction and reported medicinal plants with organoprotective activity that have not been yet explored against traumatic brain injury and thereby, highlighting the marked possibilities of their effectiveness in the management of multiorgan dysfunction. As a result, we attempted to respond to the hypothesis against the usage of medicinal plants to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Patients With Epilepsy and Diabetes Mellitus, Focusing on the Outcome of Treatment

Introduction: Millions all over the world live with epilepsy, and they may require long-term drug treatment. The use and interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have grown over the previous years. Coadministration of herbal products with medicines may result in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and/or unfavorable interactions. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of CAM use among patients with epilepsy, to compare the results to those of the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), to reveal factors that may drive the use of CAM, and to measure outcomes and adherence. It was also our intent to have state-of-the-art information on CAM use in our region among patients with the two diseases above.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a non-interventional study using a self-developed questionnaire. It was distributed among adult patients with either epilepsy or DM who also suffered from cardiovascular consequences. A database was compiled from the anonymous questionnaires filled in voluntarily by the patients. Basic statistics were used to analyze this database.

Results: A total of 227 questionnaires were filled in by 127 patients (55.9%) with epilepsy and 100 patients (44.1%) with DM. Mean age was 54.54 ± 17.33 years. Of the patients, 50.2% were male. Average body weight was 80.3 ± 17.3 kg. Of the patients, 22 (9.7%) used CAM because they believed in CAM. Two of them reported ADRs. Among the patients with epilepsy, the ratio was only 7.9% compared to 12% among those with DM. While the number of CAM users was higher among younger patients with epilepsy, it was the elderly patients with DM who tended to use CAM.

Conclusion: Attention should be paid to reliance on CAM during the follow-up. Our finding that health-conscious patients tend to use CAM more often (than the general population) may indicate it is necessary to discuss CAM usage sincerely. CAMs modulating cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes were the most common, leading to interactions with medication used and resulting in ADRs. This shows the importance of educating patients and treating team including clinical pharmacists in this field.

Natural products for the management of hyperuricaemia and gout: a review

Hyperuricaemia is characterised by a high level of urate in the blood. The crystallisation of urate is considered a critical risk factor for the development of gout. Allopurinol and febuxostat have been commonly used medications to decrease the circulating urate levels. However, the use of these drugs is associated with undesired side effects. Therefore, the development of a new active, safety anti-hyperuricaemic and anti-inflammatory drug could be useful in gout therapy and is highly justified. Natural products have become a source of new pharmaceuticals due to their strong efficacy with less side effects, which relies on the comprising of complex bioactive compounds. There are a growing number of studies purporting decreasing serum urate with traditional medicines. This article was aimed to review these studies and identify which extracts promote urate reduction, along with their different mechanisms.

Prevention of Hyperuricemia by Clerodendrum trichotomum Leaf Extract in Potassium Oxonate-Induced Mice

Clerodendrum trichotomum is a folk medicine exhibiting anti-hypertension, anti-arthritis, and anti-rheumatism properties. However, little is known about whether the material might prevent hyperuricemia and associated inflammation. In this study, we explored whether C. trichotomum leaf extract (CTE) prevented hyperuricemia induced by potassium oxonate (PO) in mice. CTE (400 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced the serum uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine levels and increased urine UA and creatinine levels. CTE ameliorated PO-induced inflammation and apoptosis by reducing the levels of relevant proteins in kidney tissues. Also, CTE ameliorated both UA-induced inflammatory response in RAW 263.7 cells and UA-induced cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells. In addition, liver transcriptome analysis showed that CTE enriched mainly the genes for mediating positive regulation of MAPK cascade and apoptotic signaling pathways. Together, the results show that CTE effectively prevents hyperuricemia and associated inflammation in PO-induced mice.