Planta Med 2005; 71(2): 183-185
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837789
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Hypouricemic Action of Scopoletin Arising from Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition and Uricosuric Activity

Zuoqi Ding1 , Yue Dai1 , Zhengtao Wang2
  • 1Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
Further Information

Publication History

Received: June 22, 2004

Accepted: September 5, 2004

Publication Date:
24 February 2005 (online)

Abstract

Scopoletin exhibited an immediate and dose-dependent hypouricemic effect after intraperitoneal administration (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) in hyperuricemic mice induced by potassium oxonate; however, it did not affect the serum uric acid level in normal mice at the tested doses. For exploring the involved mechanisms of action of scopoletin, potential inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase and possible uricosuric effects were investigated. Scopoletin (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the activity of xanthine oxidase in liver homogenates of hyperuricemic mice although it only showed a relatively weak, albeit competitive-type, inhibition of xanthine oxidase in a commercial assay. Furthermore, a potent uricosuric effect of scopoletin (100, 200 mg/kg) was ascertained. These results demonstrated for the first time that scopoletin exhibits, hypouricemic activities through decreasing uric acid production and as well as a uricosuric mechanism.

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Dr. Yue Dai

Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica

China Pharmaceutical University

1 Shennong Road

Nanjing 210038

People's Republic of China

Email: yuedaicpu@hotmail.com