Effects of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus extracts on gout : anti-inflammatory activity and anti-hyperuricemic effect through xantine oxidase and uricosuric action.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Leave sin fusion 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 al soused due to its diuretic, sedative and aphrodisiac actions. Aim of the study: The study was under taken to investigate the mechanisms of anti-hyperuricemic effect and anti-inflammatory activity of P. pseudocaryophyllus extracts. Materials and 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 investigate don 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 in-hibition of xanthine oxidase enzyme in vitro and they were also able to reduce serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemicrats. The investigation of the mechanism of action, it was found that EAL, EAB, EEB, AB (125and250mg/kg) and AL (250mg/kg) promoted an increase on the urinary excretion of uric acid and EEL, EEB, AB (125and250mg/kg) and EAB (250mg/kg) were capable to inhibit liver xanthine oxidase. Treatments with EEL (125and250mg/kg) and EEB (250mg/kg) were able to reduce edema at 48thh. EAL and EAB (125and250mg/kg) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity on monosodium urate crystal-induced paw edema model at all evaluated times. Conclusions: The specie P. pseudocaryophyllus showed remark able 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- inflammatoryactivity.