Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of methanolic extracts from 22 plant species collected in Phu Quoc National Park

Abstract

Gout is a metabolic disorder characterised by elevated levels of uric acid in the body, leading to its accumulation in the joints and causing inflammation and pain. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an enzyme that catalyses the oxidation of xanthine to produce uric acid. Therefore, the investigation and development of effective and natural XO inhibitors are considered a promising approach in the treatment of gout and uric acid-related disorders. This study evaluated the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of methanolic extracts from 22 plant species collected from Phu Quoc National Park, Vietnam. The results reveal that all extracts exhibited XO inhibitory activity, with 11 samples showing significant inhibition (>50%) at a concentration of 50 µg/ml. Notably, extracts from Garcinia ferrea Pierre and Syzygium lineatum (Bl.) Merr. & Perry exhibited strong inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 24.42 and 27.17 µg/ml, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of native plant species from Phu Quoc National Park as natural sources for the development of XO inhibitors, supporting the treatment of gout and other purine-related metabolic disorders.