EVALUATION OF ANTI-GOUT ACTIVITY OF AEGLE MARMELOS LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST POTASSIUM OXONATE INDUCED GOUT IN MALE SPRAGUE DAWELY RATS

The aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos leaves (AEAML) was investigated for its anti-gout activity against potassium oxonate induced gout in male Sprague dawely rats. In this study, total 30 animals were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 animals in each group. Group I served as normal control, Group II as toxic control, Group III as standard received Allopurinol and Group IV & V as treatment groups (200 and 400 mg/kg, b. wtp.o). Blood Parameters such as WBC, Lymphocytre, Esionophils, serum biochemical parameters such as Urea, Uric acid, Total protein and Tissue homogenates for Lipid peroxidation, Catalase and Reduced glutathione levels were estimated.Preliminary phytochemical study of AEAML showed the presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Steroids, Flavanoids, Phenols and tannins. Toxic control showed significant (p<0.001) increase in the Urea, Uric acid and Total protein content. There was a significant increase in the oxidative stress makers such as lipid peroxidation and decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione and Catalse observed in toxic control (p<0.001) when compared to the normal control. In the treatment groups, significant decrease in the blood, serum biochemical parameters and normalized tissue antioxidant levels were observed in a dose dependent manner. The present experimental findings suggested that Aegle marmelos leaves have potential anti-gout activity might be due to the presence of flavonoids, phenols and tannins.