A natural complex product Yaocha reduces uric acid level in a live zebrafish model

Analysis of Polyphenol Extract from Hazel Leaf and Ameliorative Efficacy and Mechanism against Hyperuricemia Zebrafish Model via Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Hazel leaf, a by-product of hazelnuts, is commonly used in traditional folk medicine in Portugal, Sweden, Iran and other regions for properties such as vascular protection, anti-bleeding, anti-edema, anti-infection, and pain relief. Based on our previous studies, the polyphenol extract from hazel leaf was identified and quantified via HPLC fingerprint. The contents of nine compounds including kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, myricetin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, resveratrol, luteolin, gallic acid and ellagic acid in hazel leaf polyphenol extract (ZP) were preliminary calculated, among which kaempferol was the highest with 221.99 mg/g, followed by chlorogenic acid with 8.23 mg/g. The inhibition of ZP on α-glucosidase and xanthine oxidase activities was determined via the chemical method, and the inhibition on xanthine oxidase was better. Then, the effect of ZP on hyperuricemia zebrafish was investigated. It was found that ZP obviously reduced the levels of uric acid, xanthine oxidase, urea nitrogen and creatinine, and up-regulated the expression ofOAT1 and HPRT genes in hyperuricemia zebrafish. Finally, the targeted network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking of nine polyphenol compounds were performed to search for relevant mechanisms for alleviating hyperuricemia. These results will provide a valuable basis for the development and application of hazel leaf polyphenols as functional ingredients.

Research progress on the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia by medicinal and edible plants and its bioactive components

Hyperuricemia is another common metabolic disease, which is considered to be closely related to the development of many chronic diseases, in addition to the "three highs." Currently, although drugs show positive therapeutic effects, they have been shown to produce side effects that can damage the body. There is growing evidence that medicinal and edible plants and their bioactive components have a significant effect on hyperuricemia. In this paper, we review common medicinal and edible plants with uric acid-lowering effects and summarize the uric acid-lowering mechanisms of different bioactive components. Specifically, the bioactive components are divided into five categories: flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and saponins. These active substances exhibit positive uric acid-lowering effects by inhibiting uric acid production, promoting uric acid excretion, and improving inflammation. Overall, this review examines the potential role of medicinal and edible plants and their bioactive components as a means of combating hyperuricemia, with the hope of providing some reference value for the treatment of hyperuricemia.

Optimization of the extraction process and metabonomics analysis of uric acid-reducing active substances from Gymnadenia R.Br. and its protective effect on hyperuricemia zebrafish

Background

As Gymnadenia R.Br. (Gym) has an obvious uric acid-lowering effect, but its specific bioactive substances and mechanism are still unclear. The key metabolites and pathways used by Gym to reduce uric acid (UA) were identify.

Methods

An optimized extraction process for urate-lowering active substances from Gym was firstly been carried out based on the xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition model in vitro; then, the Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and Q-Exactive mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS) based on non-targeted metabolomics analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine were performed for comparison of Gym with ethanol concentration of 95% (low extraction rate but high XOD inhibition rate) and 75% (high extraction rate but low XOD inhibition rate), respectively; finally, the protective effect of ethanolic extract of Gym on zebrafish with Hyperuricemia (referred to as HUA zebrafish) was explored.

Results

We found that the inhibition rate of Gym extract with 95% ethanol concentration on XOD was 84.02%, and the extraction rate was 4.32%. Interestingly, when the other conditions were the same, the XOD inhibition rate of the Gym extract with 75% ethanol concentration was 76.84%, and the extraction rate was 14.68%. A total of 539 metabolites were identified, among them, 162 different metabolites were screened, of which 123 were up-regulated and 39 were down-regulated. Besides significantly reducing the contents of UA, BUN, CRE, ROS, MDA, and XOD activity in HUA zebrafish by Gym and acutely reduce the activity of SOD.

Conclusion

Along with the flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenylpropanoids, the ethanolic extract of Gym may be related to reduce the UA level of Gym.

Recent development in zebrafish model for bioactivity and safety evaluation of natural products

The zebrafish is a species of freshwater fish, popular in aquariums and laboratories. Several advantageous features have facilitated zebrafish to be extensively utilized as a valuable vertebrate model in the lab. It has been well-recognized that natural products possess multiple health benefits for humans. With the increasing demand for natural products in the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and natural cosmetics, the zebrafish has emerged as an unprecedented tool for rapidly and economically screening and identifying safe and effective substances from natural products. This review first summarized the key factors for the management of zebrafish in the laboratory, followed by highlighting the current progress on the establishment and applications of zebrafish models in the bioactivity evaluation of natural products. In addition, the zebrafish models used for assessing the potential toxicity or health risks of natural products were involved as well. Overall, this review indicates that zebrafish are promising animal models for the bioactivity and safety evaluation of natural products, and zebrafish models can accelerate the discovery of novel natural products with potential health functions.