Abstract:
Subject description: The subject of the study revolves around the historical use of natural
products in traditional medicine for treating various diseases and health conditions. The focus is on
exploring the bioactive properties of plant extracts, particularly in relation to uric acid dissolution, and
their potential role in preventing diseases like hyperuricemia and gout.
Objectives: The main objectives of the study are to investigate the effects of different extracts
from four local plants on uric acid dissolution. Additionally, the study aims to quantify calcium, sodium,
and potassium ions in the extracts and assess their haemolytic effects on human red blood cells.
Methods: The study employed a reflux method using a Soxhlet apparatus with four solvents of
varying polarity (n-hexane, acetone, methanol, and water) to prepare the extracts. The researchers then
assessed the effects of these extracts on uric acid dissolution and conducted quantitative analysis of
calcium, sodium, and potassium ions. Haemolytic effects on human red blood cells were also evaluated.
Results and discussion: The results of the study indicate that the majority of the studied extracts
demonstrated a significant ability to dissolve uric acid, outperforming the positive control (58.36±0.024
mg/mL distilled water). Furthermore, the capacity of the extracts to dissolve uric acid was found to be
strongly correlated with their calcium content (r = 0.765; p = 0.001). Among the extracts, the aqueous
extracts from Cistus creticus and Plantago ciliata showed the highest uric acid dissolving properties,
with solubilities exceeding 450 mg uric acid/L. importantly, these extracts exhibited no toxic effects on
isolated human erythrocytes, suggesting their potential in enhancing new therapies for gouty arthritis.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the investigated plant extracts possess a significant ability to
dissolve uric acid, which may have implications for the treatment of conditions like hyperuricemia and
gout. Specifically, the aqueous extracts from Cistus creticus and Plantago ciliata show promise in this
regard and warrant further exploration for potential therapeutic applications in gouty arthritis
