Protective effects of corni fructus extract in mice with potassium oxonate–induced hyperuricemia

Corni fructus is consumed as food and herbal medicine in Chinese culture. Studies have revealed that corni fructus exhibits potent antioxidant activity; however, few studies have investigated the ability of corni fructus to lower uric acid concentrations. In this study, the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition and uric acid–lowering effect of corni fructus extract (CFE) were evaluated in mice with potassium oxonate–induced hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is a chronic disease prevalent worldwide and is associated with high recurrence rates. In addition, drugs used to treat hyperuricemia induce side effects that discourage patient compliance. Hyperuricemia induces metabolic imbalances resulting in accumulative uric acid deposition in the joints and soft tissues. Hyperuricemia not only induces gout but also interrupts hepatic and renal function, thereby trigging severe inflammation and various complications, including obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, and metabolic diseases. In this study, the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of CFE resulted in yields of antioxidant photochemical components significantly higher than those of CFEs formed using other substances. The EAF of CFE exhibited high free radical scavenging activity and XO inhibition and effectively lowered uric acid concentrations in the animal model of chemically induced hyperuricemia. The results of this study can serve as a reference for the prevention of preclinical gout as well as for functional food research.