In vitro and In vivo Investigations on Anti-Hyperuricemic Activity of Commercial Preparations of Persicaria minor (Biokesum®) and Eurycoma longifolia (Physta®)

Abstract

Background: Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Simaroubaceae) root extracts and Persicaria minor Huds. (Polygonaceae) leaf extracts are known to exhibit antioxidant activity, while their antihyperuricemic effects remain unclear. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the anti-hyperuricemic activity of Biokesum® (extract of P. minor) and Physta® (extract of E. longifolia). Methods: In vitro anti-hyperuricemic activity for Biokesum® and Physta® was measured by xanthine oxidase inhibition based on a biochemical enzymatic assay at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 μg/mL. In vivo anti-hyperuricemic activity was assessed in potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia Sprague-Dawley rat model. Biokesum® at doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg and Physta® at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg were administered for 7 days to the hyperuricemic rats. Serum uric acid was measured on days 0, 1, 3, and 7, and liver xanthine oxidase activity was measured on day 8. Allopurinol was used as positive control in both in vitro and in vivo investigations. Results: Based on xanthine oxidase biochemical enzymatic assay, IC50 of Biokesum® and Physta® were 88.6 μg/mL and > 100 μg/mL respectively. In hyperuricemic rats, Biokesum® and Physta® significantly reduced the serum uric acid by 5.6% and 5.5% respectively at 300 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and 9.8% and 9.0% respectively at 500mg/kg (p < 0.001) compared to untreated rats. Significant liver xanthine oxidase inhibition at 37.5% and 34.1% were observed in rats treated with Biokesum® and Physta® respectively. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated hyperuricemic activity of Biokesum® and Physta®, clinical studies in hyperuricemia-related diseases population are required to further confirm the activity.