“Hypouricemic Action of Selected Flavonoids in Mice: Structure-Activity Relationships.”
The incidence of human hyperuricemia, associated with gout and the metabolic syndrome, is increasing worldwide. High uric acid levels result in the formation of joint crystals causing the severe pain of gout. The components of the metabolic syndrome include hypertension and diabetes, among other symptoms.
Treatment of hyperuricemia can result from increasing urinary release of uric acid or inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XOD) enzyme to reduce the production of uric acid. Allopurinal is a medication that reduces uric acid. Allopurinal causes side effects of gastrointestinal discomfort, hypersensitivity and kidney toxicity.
Fifteen flavonoids were studied for their hypouricemic actions in mice, including quercitin, morin, myricetin, kaempferol, icarlin, apigenin, luteolin, baicalin, silibinin, naringenin, formonoetin, genistein, puerarin, daidzin and nairingen dihydrochalcone. The specific effects of flavonoids on human chemistry are related to the structures of the chemicals.
Hyperuricemia was induced in mice using uric oxonate (a potassium oxonate inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of uric acid). The animals were first screened with all 15 flavonoids to see which were the most effective at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. The results were compared to the use of Allopurinal and blood levels were tested for the resulting levels of uric acid.
Quercitin, morin, kaempferol, apigenin and puerarin all were found to lower uric acid levels of the blood, even at the lower 50 mg/kg dose. Quercitin, morin, kaempferol, myricetin and puerarin all lowered uric acid levels in the liver.
CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is a strong risk factor for gout and the metabolic syndrome. Blocking the xanthine oxidase enzyme can reduce Hyperuricemia. This can be done using flavonoids, especially quercetin, morin, myricetin, kaempferol, apigenin and puerarin, with fewer side effects than Allopurinol.
NOTE: Read about the influence of environmental lead on urate excretion and uricemia.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR: Uric acid blood levels.
PMID: 17666819.
Summary #221.
