In vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory and in vivo hypouricemic activity of dual herbal combination comprising Carica papaya L. and Piper lolot C. DC leaves

Abstract

Hyperuricemia has emerged as a major public health issue in recent years, with existing treatments often associated with negative side effects for patients. This research examined the anti-hyperuricemic properties of a dual herbal extract made from Carica papaya L. and Piper lolot C.DC leaves, utilizing a xanthine oxidase inhibitory assay and a hyperuricemic mouse model induced by potassium oxonate (500 mg/kg body weight). The results indicated that a 5-day treatment with the hexane herbal extracts (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly lowered serum and urine uric acid levels in hyperuricemic mice and inhibited xanthine oxidase activity in vitro (IC50 of 27.39 ± 0.32 μg/mL), which could be the underlying mechanism for the observed urate-lowering effects, as the extract did not promote increased uric acid excretion in urine. Our findings imply that the combined extract of Carica papaya L. and Piper lolot C. DC leaves may help alleviate gout by inhibiting uric acid production.