BACKGROUND

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a key enzyme in the pathophysiological homeostasis of hyperuricemia. It catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to uric acid, the reaction involves the formation of free radical intermediates and superoxide byproducts.

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidant, antihyperuricemic, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potentials of Hyoscyamus reticulatus L. (Solanaceae) extract.

METHODS

The antioxidant potency was measured using the ABTS•+ scavenging capacity system, which includes Trolox as a standard. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of the extract was quantitated in vitro by measuring the decline in the catalytic rate of xanthine oxidase following incubations with the plant extracts and using xanthine as a substrate. The hypouricemic potential of the extract was evaluated using an in vivo model for hyperuricemia. We tested three different doses of the extract and allopurinol was used as standard antihyperuricemic positive control.

RESULTS

H. reticulatus aqueous extract exhibited significant antioxidant scavenging properties (533.26 μmol TE/g dry extract weight) and inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity (IC₅₀ 12.8 μg/mL). Furthermore, oral administration of the aqueous extract significantly reduced serum urate levels in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the aqueous extract of H. reticulatus aerial parts might have great potential as an antioxidant and a hypouricemic agent. Our lab is currently identifying the active compounds in the extract to which the biological activities could be attributed.