Anti-hyperuricemic and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Effects of Jatropha tanjorensis Methanolic Extract in Pyrazinamide-Induced Mice

Hyperuricemia presents as a prevailing concern in routine clinical practice, affecting an estimated 8.9% to 24.4% of the general populace. Central to the emergence of hyperuricemia and its associated ailments is the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO), which participates in the breakdown of purines into uric acid. This investigation is dedicated to appraising the ability of Jatropha tanjorensis methanolic extract to counteract hyperuricemia and inhibit XO in mice induced with pyrazinamide. The isolation of XO from cow milk was accomplished using ammonium sulfate precipitation techniques, followed by quantification of its activity via spectrophotometric measurements at a wavelength of 293 nm. Evaluation of uric acid levels was carried out through an enzyme colorimetric approach. The yield of Jatropha tanjorensis was found to be 9.2% (27.6 g). The XO inhibitory action of the extract was evident in the reduction in uric acid concentration from 8.73 μg/ml to 4.45 μg/ml after 1 hour. Assessment of toxicity showed that the extract, even at a high dose of 8000 mg/kg bw, had no observable impact on the animals’ behavior or physical appearance. The uric acid assay demonstrated that all three doses of Jatropha tanjorensis extract led to a noteworthy reduction in mean serum uric acid levels compared to the negative control group. The highest mean uric acid levels were noted in the negative control groups, measuring 5.36 ± 0.40 mg/dl and 2.71 ± 0.34 mg/dl, respectively. In contrast, the positive control group treated with febuxostat exhibited a mean uric acid level of 3.15 ± 0.27 mg/dl. Regarding weight changes, the normal control and positive control groups displayed average gains of 62.53 g and 35.94 g, respectively, while the negative control group did not exhibit substantial weight variation. Consequently, the Jatropha tanjorensis extract induced a notable reduction in serum uric acid levels, and this antihyperuricemic effect became more prominent as the extract concentration increased. This suggests the extract's potential value in managing hyperuricemia.