Abstract

EXPLORING THE IN VITRO EFFECTS OF BUTEA MONOSPERMA AND SOLANUM NIGRUM HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACTS ON MONOSODIUM URATE CRYSTAL FORMATION

Swati Hanjagi, Vani Chatter* and Sunilkumar Meti

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Gout is an inflammatory disease manifested by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints, cartilage, synovial bursa, tendons or soft tissues. Uric acid in the form of MSU gets deposited in the joints and causes an inflammatory and painful condition called gouty arthritis. Current therapy for gout has many side effects, hence there is a need to develop an alternative therapy for the management of gout. Solanum nigrum (SN) belongs the o family Solanaceae locally known as Makoi, Black nightshade. SN has been used as a hepatoprotective, laxative, aphrodisiac, tonic, antioxidant and diuretic. It is also used in liver cirrhosis, cancer and gout. Butea monosperma (BM) belongs to the family Fabaceae and is commonly known as Flame of the forest. The plant is used as an anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-stress, and stimulant to memory and behavior and helps gout treatment. The plant's SN and BM has also been traditionally claimed to be effective in gout management, but there is no relevant scientific evidence for this claim. Hence, the present study planned to evaluate the in vitro effect of SN and BM hydroalcoholic extract on the inhibition of growth of MSU crystals. The dried aerial parts of the SN and BM were subjected to extraction by cold maceration method. Ascorbic acid was used as a standard. MSU crystals were grown in vitro, and were characterized by FT-IR. SN and BM hydroalcoholic extracts at a concentration (1000µg/ml, 500µg/ml and 250µg/ml) were exposed to MSU crystals for 48hr and observed for growth and inhibition of needle-shaped MSU crystals under the microscope. Hydroalcoholic extract of SN and BM showed inhibition of the growth of needle-shaped MSU crystals at all concentration. FT-IR results confirm the presence of MSU crystals. The hydroalcoholic extract of SN and BM shows in vitro inhibition of the growth of MSU crystal. Together with their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity and lowering effect on MSU crystals, SN and BM help to subside the symptoms of gout. Therefore, the plant can be used as an alternative therapy for the management of gout. Inhibition of the growth of MSU may be due to the presence flavonoids and vitamin C.

Keywords: Solanum nigrum, Butea monosperma, ascorbic acid, monosodium urate crystal, Hyperuricemia, antioxidant, antiinflamatory, hydroalcoholic extract.