Pharmacological basis for use of Lychnophora trichocarpha in gouty arthritis: Anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects of its extract, fraction and constituents

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 142; no. 3; pp. 845 - 850
• Main Authors: de Souza, Maíra Ribeiro, de Paula, Carmen Aparecida, Pereira de Resende, Michelle Luciane, Grabe-Guimarães, Andrea, de Souza Filho, José Dias, Saúde-Guimarães, Dênia Antunes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-08-2012
• Subjects: Acetates - chemistry; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - analysis; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Arthritis, Gouty - drug therapy; Asteraceae; Ethanol - chemistry; Flavones; Flavonoids - analysis; Flavonoids - therapeutic use; Gout; Hyperuricemia; Hyperuricemia - chemically induced; Hyperuricemia - drug therapy; Hyperuricemia - metabolism; Inflammation - chemically induced; Inflammation - drug therapy; Liver - drug effects; Liver - enzymology; Lychnophora trichocarpha; Male; Mice; Oxonic Acid; Phytotherapy; Plant Components, Aerial - chemistry; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Sesquiterpene lactones; Solvents - chemistry; Uric Acid - blood; Xanthine oxidase; Xanthine Oxidase - metabolism; Lychnophora trichocarpha; Xanthine oxidase; Hyperuricemia; Sesquiterpene lactones; Flavones; Gout
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.012

The ethanolic extract of Lychnophora trichocarpha Spreng. is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat bruise, pain and inflammatory diseases.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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