Xanthine oxidase inhibition of selected Philippine medicinal plants

Abstract

Extracts from selected species of Philippine plants traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory properties were examined for their ability to inhibit the action of xanthine oxidase. The degree of inhibition using Adenanthena payonina, Antegonon leptopus,Blumea balsamifera, Calophyllum inophyllum, Cassia alata, Cassia fistula, Gliricidia sepium, Michelia alba, Mimosa pudica, Portulaca olercea, Pogostemon cablin, Solanum tornum, Tinosphora rumphii and Vitex negundo extracts were determined by measuring the increase in absorbance at 295 nm which is associated with uric acid formation which is linked to gout. B. balsamifera has the highest percent inhibition at 79.67% followed by M. pudica with 62.36% inhibition. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential and IC50 values of the extracts are reported.   Key words: Gout, medicinal plants, plant extracts, xanthine oxidase.