Therapeutic potential of ethyl acetate fraction of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. leaves in a rat model of gout.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nThe present study is to determine the potential treatment effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. leaves (EATP) against gout.\n\n\nMETHODS\nGout in experimental rats was induced with potassium oxonate at the dose of 250\u202fmg/kg (intraperitoneal injection) for 7 consecutive days; EATP was administered 1\u202fh after administration of the potassium oxonate on each day of experiment. Potassium oxonate was discontinued on the 8th day; thereafter allopurinol (10\u202fmg/kg, p.o.) and EATP (200 and 400\u202fmg/kg, p.o.) were continued until day 14. The uric acid level was measured from serum and urine during the experiment. Other biochemical parameters were assessed, including blood and urine creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and total protein. Blood urea nitrogen, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were also measured. The blood was analyzed for levels of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Histopathological and radiological changes in the ankle of rats were observed after completion of the experiment.\n\n\nRESULTS\nEATP was able to decrease serum uric acid and creatinine level; it also reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and lysosomal enzyme level, which has a role in acute inflammation. EATP increased uric acid excretion through urine due to its uricosuric effect.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nEATP lowered the serum uric acid level and increased the urine uric acid level through excretion, which is useful in the treatment of gout. Hence the EATP was found to be helpful in the treatment of gout.