Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Effect of Solanum torvum (An in Vitro Study)

Abstract

Solanum torvum has been used therapeutically for centuries. Pharmacological studies indicate that the stem and root of S.torvum have anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and other medicinally important effects. It is also used to treat fever, wounds and tooth decay. Gout, a disease resulting from increased uric acid accumulation in joints and muscles and due to increased activities of xanthine oxidase enzyme in nucleotide metabolism. Xanthine oxidase converts xanthine to hypoxanthine and further to uric acid. The present study is focused on evaluating the in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory (XOI) activity of S. torum fruit extract and to screen the phytochemical constituent present in it. Ethanolic extract of S.torvum (EST) was prepared and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was assessed by using Allopurinol as the standard drug. The phytochemical screening of the extract was also done. The results showed that the fruit extract possessed XOI activity in a concentration dependent manner. Also after phytochemical screening showed that EST is rich in phlobatannins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids. Thus the study concluded that S.torvum possessed potent in vitro XOI activity.