Effects of Juniperus phoenicea extract on uricemia and activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver, erythrocyte and testis of hyperuricemic (oxonate-treated) rats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine whether administration of Juniperus phoenicea extract would have any advantage over allopurinol therapy on (1) lipids peroxidation level and (2) antioxidant activity in liver, erythrocyte and testis of hyperuricemic rats by oxonate administration. In hyperuricemic rats, levels of lipids peroxidation in liver, erythrocyte and testis were found to be significantly increased as compared to control rats (p < 0.05). Activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also significantly increased as compared to the controls (p < 0.05). An ameliorative effect was obtained in hyperuricemic rats by oral treatment with either allopurinol (10 mg/kg body weight (bw)) or J. phoenicea extract (100 or 200 mg/kg bw). The 100 mg/kg dose revealed to be efficient in reducing uric acid level in blood and the 200 mg/kg dose strongly reduced the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX in liver and erythrocyte. Our results support that the consumption of J. phoenicea extract should be recommended in ethnomedicinal practice to reduce the risk of gout by decreasing the uric acid level in blood and to confer some protection against oxidative stresses at organs level.

Uric acid in plants and microorganisms: Biological applications and genetics - A review

“…Many herbal plant species were explored to be antigout and reduce uric acid in blood such as Lagerstroemia speciosa [4] , Apium graveolens , Ficus carica , Curcuma domestica , C innamomum zeylanicum and Rosmarinus officinalis [79] , Erythrina strica [80] , Rhuscoriaria [81] , Juniperus phoenicea [82] , Momordica charantia , Apium gravelens , Petroselium crispum , Linum usitatissmun , Cucurbita pepo , Zingiber officinale , Curcurma longa , Cinnamomum sp., Rosmarinus sp. [56] , [83] , Origanum majorana [84] , Prunus cerasus [85] , Phyllanthus niruri [86] , Glycine max and Arabidopsis thaliana [87] , Vinca sp.…”

“… Lythraceae Leaves Valoneic acid dilactone (VAD) Ellagic acid (EA) [4] Apium graveolens (Celery) Umbelliferae Fresh leaves and seeds Oleic and Linoleic acid in Celery All rich in phenolics Unsaturated fatty acids, long chain fatty acids, phytosterols and Malondialdehyde Antigout, antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects [79] Ficus carica (Fig) Moraceae Dry Fig. fruits Curcuma domestica L. (Turmeric) Zingiberaceae Rhizomes Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Lauraceae Bark Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Labiatae Leaves Erythrina strica roxb Papilionaceae Hydromethanolic extract of leaves Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolics and triterpenoids Inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) activities [80] Rhuscoriaria (sumac or sumak) Anacardiaceae Hydroalcoholic extract of fruits Phenolic (as gallic acid), methyl gallate and protocatechuic acid – Inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO) activity – Decrease Hyperuricemia [81] Juniperus phoenicea Cupressaceae Decoction of fresh leaves in water Phenols Reduce uric acid level and have antioxidant activity [82] Momordica charantia (Bitter) Cucurbitaceae Methanol-water extract of pulp Phenols and Flavonoids Inhibit xanthine oxidase [58] , [83] Apium gravelens (Celery) Umbelliferae Dried powdered leaves Petroselium crispum Umbelliferae Parsly leaves Linum usitatissmum (Flax) Linaceae Seed Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) ...…”

Antioxidant effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) against lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

“…Ahmed et al (2000) found that ginger significantly lowered lipid peroxidation by maintaining the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in blood of rats. Effects of Juniperus phoenicea extract on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver of oxonate-treated rats have been studied (Gdoura et al, 2013). Also, the antioxidant effects of whole ginger against lead acetate-induced liver apoptosis in rats have been studied (Khaki and Khaki, 2010).…”