Effect of zingiber zerumbet (L) sm. on serum uric acid level in oxonate-induced rats / Wan Musfirah Wan Mohd Yusoff

In the past three decades, allopurinol, the xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) has been clinically used in the management of gout. However, its use is sometimes limited by hypersensitivity problems. Thus, it is very valuable to search and investigate other possible alternatives that show inhibitory activities on xanthine oxidase, especially those come from the natural sources. This study determined the potential effect of Zingiber Zerumbet (L) Sm. hydroalcoholic extract in reducing serum uric acid level in a model of hyperuricaemic White Male Sprague Dawleys Rats that have been pretreated with potassium oxonate. In order to evaluate the effect of the rhizome of Z. zerumbet in reducing serum uric acid level, the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant with dose of 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg have been given to oxonate-induced white male rats. Allopurinol was used as the reference drug. The hydroalcoholic extracts of this plant, when administered intraperitoneally to the hyperuricaemic rats, were capable to elicit hypouricaemic effect. However, the effect of all extracts at different doses in reducing serum urate level is not statistically significant. After three times treatment with the extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg, the serum urate level of these rats has been highly reduced compared to other doses of extract. These results revealed that the rhizome of Z. zerumbet possessed in vivo urate-lowering activities. As compared with allopurinol, it could be concluded that the hypouricaemic effect of Z. zerumbet is less than allopurinol in the treatment of hyperuricaemia.