Pharmacological basis for use of Lychnophora trichocarpha in gouty arthritis: anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects of its extract, fraction and constituents.
BACKGROUND
The ethanolic extract of Lychnophora trichocarpha Spreng. is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat bruise, pain and inflammatory diseases.


OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed at investigating whether ethanolic extract of L. trichocarpha, its ethyl acetate fraction and its main bioactive compounds could be useful to treat gouty arthritis by countering hyperuricemia and inflammation.


METHODS
L. trichocarpha ethanolic extract (LTE), ethyl acetate fraction from ethanolic extract (LTA) and isolated compounds were evaluated for urate-lowering activity and liver xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. Anti-inflammatory activity in monosodium urate crystal-induced paw oedema, an experimental model of gouty arthritis, was also investigated.


RESULTS
Crude ethanolic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction showed significant urate-lowering effects. LTE was also able to significantly inhibit liver xantine oxidase (XOD) activity in vivo at the dose of 250mg/kg. Luteolin, apigenin, lupeol, lychnopholide and eremantholide C showed the anti-hyperuricemic activities among tested compounds. Apigenin also showed XOD inhibitory activity in vivo. Luteolin, lychnopholide, lupeol and eremantholide C, in turn, did not shown significant inhibitory activity towards this enzyme, indicating that this mechanism is not likely to be involved in urate-lowering effects of those compounds. LTE, LTA, lupeol, β-sitosterol, lychnopholide, eremantholide, luteolin and apigenin were also found to inhibit monosodium urate crystals-induced paw oedema in mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethanolic extract of Lychnophora trichocarpha and some of its bioactive compounds may be promising agents for the treatment of gouty arthritis since they possesses both anti-hiperuricemic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais 35400-000, Brazil.
Maíra Ribeiro
MR
de Souza
Carmen Aparecida
CA
de Paula
Michelle Luciane
ML
Pereira de Resende
Andrea
A
Grabe-Guimarães
José Dias
JD
de Souza Filho
Dênia Antunes
DA
Saúde-Guimarães
D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015210:Arthritis, Gouty / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019659:Asteraceae; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010094:Oxonic Acid; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism
D000085:Acetates; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D014527:Uric Acid; D000431:Ethanol; C489337:potassium oxonate; D010094:Oxonic Acid; C007650:ethyl acetate; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase