title: Effects of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus extracts on gout: Anti-inflammatory activity and anti-hyperuricemic effect through xantine oxidase and uricosuric action.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leaves infusion of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat the predisposition to arthritical and gouty affections of the joints, fever and other diseases. A refreshing drink prepared with the specie is also used due to its diuretic, sedative and aphrodisiac actions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was undertaken to investigate the mechanisms of anti-hyperuricemic effect and anti-inflammatory activity of P. pseudocaryophyllus extracts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-hyperuricemic effect was investigated using xanthine oxidase assay and uricosuric studies with rats in which hyperuricemia was induced by potassium oxonate and uric acid. Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated on MSU crystal-induced paw edema model. Ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves (EAL) and branches (EAB), ethanolic extracts of leaves (EEL) and branches (EEB) and aqueous extracts of leaves (AL) and branches (AB) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extracts of P. pseudocaryophyllus evaluated showed expressive results regarding the inhibition of xanthine oxidase enzyme in vitro and they were also able to reduce serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats. The investigation of the mechanism of action, it was found that EAL, EAB, EEB, AB (125 and 250 mg/kg) and AL (250 mg/kg) promoted an increase on the urinary excretion of uric acid and EEL, EEB, AB (125 and 250 mg/kg) and EAB (250 mg/kg) were capable to inhibit liver xanthine oxidase. Treatments with EEL (125 and 250 mg/kg) and EEB (250 mg/kg) were able to reduce edema at 48 th h. EAL and EAB (125 and 250 mg/kg) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity on monosodium urate crystal-induced paw edema model at all evaluated times.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The specie P. pseudocaryophyllus showed remarkable anti-hyperuricemic effects through uricosuric effects and inhibition of xanthine oxidase and therefore can be considered as a promise in the treatment of diseases related to hyperuricemia. Moreover, ethyl acetate extracts had significant anti-inflammatory activity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais 35400-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Cristina
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais 35400-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rita de Cássia
authors.initials: Rde C
authors.lastname: Lemos Lima
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais 35400-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Zilma
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Schimith Ferraz Filha
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais 35400-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Helena
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais 35400-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcela Carolina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Paula Michel Araújo
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais 35400-000, Brazil. Electronic address: saude@ef.ufop.br.
authors.forename: Dênia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Antunes Saúde-Guimarães
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006073:Gout / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D027841:Pimenta; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014527:Uric Acid; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase
keywords: Gout; Hyperuricemia; Inflammation; Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus; Uricosuric; Xanthine oxidase