title: Anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of rhein in hyperuricemic mice.
abstract: Hyperuricemia has been considered to be a key risk factor for kidney disease. The formation of uric acid crystals in the kidney further stimulates an intensive inflammatory response. Rhein possesses various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antitumor, purgative effects, and so on. To our knowledge, no previous work has been reported about the therapeutic effect of rhein on urate nephropathy. In this study, a model of hyperuricemia and nephropathy induced by adenine and ethambutol in mice was established. Meanwhile, the potential beneficial effects and mechanisms of rhein on hyperuricemia and nephropathy were also investigated. The results demonstrated that rhein significantly decreased the serum uric acid level by inhibiting the xanthine oxidase activity and increasing the excretion of urinary uric acid. In addition, rhein also markedly improved kidney damage related to hyperuricemia. Further investigation indicated that rhein improved the symptoms of nephropathy through decreasing the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 1β, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor-α and inhibiting the expression of transforming growth factor-β1. The present study suggests that rhein may have a considerable potential for development as an anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective agent for clinical application.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Zhaoqing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yunxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Zhaohui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Changrun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Wenzhe
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Zhenzhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Zhonglin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D027362:Organic Anion Transport Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D027361:Organic Anion Transporters / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012250:Rheum / Q000737:chemistry*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D027362:Organic Anion Transport Protein 1; D027361:Organic Anion Transporters; D020011:Protective Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014527:Uric Acid; D003404:Creatinine; C020491:rhein