Anti-Hyperuricemic and Uricosuric Potential of Berberis vulgaris in Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemic Rats

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disorder with characteristic elevated serum uric acid. Recently, several plant-based medicines are being used for the treatment of hyperuricemia. The study aimed to find the hypouricemic potential of Berberis vulgaris in in-vitro and in-vivo study models. In in-vitro studies, xanthine oxidase inhibition assay was performed to evaluate IC50 value and capsule absorbance of the drug, respectively. For in-vivo experiment, the study comprised 15 groups of rats. In-vitro results revealed that significant xanthine oxidase inhibition was shown by Berberis vulgaris with an IC50 value of 272.73 +/-.3 mu g/mL. Similarly, oral administration of Berberis vulgaris with dosages of 250 and 500 mg/kg decreased serum and liver uric acid levels significantly in a dose- and time-dependent manner in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats. Furthermore, 3-day and 7-day administration of Berberis vulgaris showed more potential compared to 1-day administrations. The present study indicated marked hypouricemic effects of Berberis vulgaris in rats. Due to caveat of the small sample size, a firm assumption of the hypouricemic effect of Berberis vulgaris cannot be made. However, extensive study is needed to find out the exact molecular mechanism involved and to translate its effects into clinical trials for the further validation of the results.