The Stem Infusate and Ethanol Extract of Physalis angulata Inhibitory Activities against a-Glucosidase and Xanthine Oxidase

Background: Infusate of the whole plant of Physalis angulata is used traditionally for the remedy of various diseases including diabetes and gout. This study focused on the stem of P. angulata. The objectives of this study were to investigate the potential of the stem infusate (INPA) and ethanol extract (EEPA) of P. angulata as inhibitors of α-glucosidase and xanthine oxidase.Materials and Methods: INPA and EEPA were determined for their α-glucosidase and xanthine oxidase inhibition activities in vitro, whereas antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assay. Reference inhibitors were used for comparison. The total phenolic compounds were also estimated.Results: EEPA had more concentrated phenolic than INPA which were 7.96 and 0.08 mgGAE/g dried biomass, respectively. INPA and EEPA inhibited α-glucosidase considerably, with IC50 of 149.11 and 409.86 µg/mL, respectively (acarbose was 130.66 µg/mL). However, they inhibited xanthine oxidase weakly, with IC50 of 0.546 and 2.643 mg/mL, respectively, compared with allopurinol 0.005 mg/mL. EEPA scavenged DPPH radicals very weakly (16.04 mg/mL) compared to BHT (0.021 mg/mL), whereas no activity was observed for INPA.Conclusion: The stem infusate and ethanol extract of P. angulata are able to inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase, thus can be further explored for sources of bioactive compounds with α-glucosidase inhibition activity.Keywords: α-glucosidase, infusate, ethanol extract, Physalis angulata, stem, xanthine oxidase

Metabolites of Procyanidins From Litchi Chinensis Pericarp With Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Effect and Antioxidant Activity

Procyanidins from litchi pericarp (LPPC) has been evidenced to possess strong antioxidant activities in vivo that is possibly correlated with their intestinal metabolites. However, the xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect of LPPC and its metabolites was less concerned. In this study, three oligomeric procyanidins and eight metabolic phenolic acids were identified in the urine of rats administrated with LPPC by high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Data indicated that all the metabolites excreted were significantly increased by the treatment of 300 mg/kg body weight of LPPC (P < 0.05), revealing considerable 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals activities of scavenging. Moreover, phenolic metabolites involving epicatechin, A-type dimer, A-type trimer, caffeic acid, and shikimic acid exhibited greater xanthine oxidase inhibition effects compared with other metabolites, with an inhibitory rate higher than 50% at the concentration 200 μg/ml. The IC50 value of these five phenols were 58.43 ± 1.86, 68.37 ± 3.50, 74.87 ± 1.30, 95.67 ± 3.82, and 96.17 ± 1.64 μg/ml, respectively. As a whole, this work suggests that the xanthine oxidase inhibition and antioxidant activity of LPPC-derived metabolites as one of the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of LPPC against hyperuricemia or gout.

Anti-Hyperuricemic and Uricosuric Potential of Berberis vulgaris in Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemic Rats

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disorder with characteristic elevated serum uric acid. Recently, several plant-based medicines are being used for the treatment of hyperuricemia. The study aimed to find the hypouricemic potential of Berberis vulgaris in in-vitro and in-vivo study models. In i n-vitro studies, xanthine oxidase inhibition assay was performed to evaluate IC50 value and capsule absorbance of the drug, respectively. For in-vivo experiment, the study comprised 15 groups of rats. In-vitro results revealed that significant xanthine oxidase inhibition was shown by Berberis vulgaris with an IC50 value of 272.73±.3 μg/mL. Similarly, oral administration of Berberis vulgaris with dosages of 250 and 500 mg/kg decreased serum and liver uric acid levels significantly in a dose- and time-dependent manner in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats. Furthermore, 3-day and 7-day administration of Berberis vulgaris showed more potential compared to 1-day administrations. The present study indicated marked hypouricemic effects of Berberis vulgaris in rats. Due to caveat of the small sample size, a firm assumption of the hypouricemic effect of Berberis vulgaris cannot be made. However, extensive study is needed to find out the exact molecular mechanism involved and to translate its effects into clinical trials for the further validation of the results.

Study of quality markers of antiuric acid formula by grey relational analysis

Gout has become a global problem, antiuric acid formula (AAF) is a clinical prescription highly effective in reducing uric acid levels. In order to find its quality control standards and contribute to the treatment of gout in the future, we adopted high-performance liquid chromatography and orbitrap liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry to establish fingerprints of 13 batches of AAF. The different batches of AAF were tested the activity of inhibit uric acid by the xanthine oxidase inhibition experiment. Grey relational analysis and bio-activity validation to assess the spectrum–effect relationship. Finally, we choose puerarin, calycosin-7-O-beta-d-glucoside and puerarin apioside as the AAF quality control component, and its average content is 6036.006 μg/g, 296.113 μg/g and 878.285 μg/g. As the quality control components of AAF, puerarin, calycosin-7-O-beta-d-glucoside and puerarin apioside can be of great significance for the treatment of gout and gout related research.

A review on Medicago sativa: A potential medicinal plant

Medicago sativa (Family: Fabaceae) was used traditionally for the treatment of arthritis, kidney problems, fever, as diuretic, anti-cancer, anti-rheumatic, cardiotonic, depurative, lactagogue, emmenagogue, antiscorbutic and in the treatment of boils. Leaves and sprouts were also consumed as vegetable salad. The leaves or seeds were sold as bulk powdered herb, capsules, and tablets for nutritional supplement in health food stores. The phytochemical analysis of Medicago sativashowed the presence of proteins, carbohydrates, saponins, lignin, phenolic compounds, tannins, alkaloids triterpene glycosides, carotenoids, sterols, phytoestrogens, flavones, isoflavonoids and phenolic compounds. The previous pharmacological investigation showed that the plant possessed antioxidant, antidiabetic, reproductive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, dermatological, anxiolytic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, immunological, cardioprotective, cytotoxic, anti-scorbutic, anti-anemic, xanthine oxidase inhibition and many other pharmacological effects. The current review discussed the bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities of Medicago sativa.