New xanthine oxidase inhibitor from white mulberry (Morus alba L.) – anti-gout prospective study

Abstract In recent years, Morus sp. (mulberry) has acquired a special importance due to its phytochemical composition and its beneficial effects on human health, including antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic and immuno-modulatory effects. The various parts of Morus sp., such as its fruits, leaves, twigs, and roots, are recognized as abundant sources of secondary metabolites, with the leaves containing significant amounts of glycosylated flavonols like quercetin and kaempferol, along with chlorogenic acid as the primary phenolic compound. Overall, it can be considered a multi utility plant and can be exploited as an alternative therapy in various ailments. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is the key enzyme for high serum urate levels which is the main cause of developing gout. Under the urate lowering therapy, allopurinol and febuxostat are the main XO inhibitors used to treat gout. However, mild to severe side effects of these synthetic XO inhibitors lead to finding an effective natural alternative without having any side effects. The present study was designed to find out phytochemical analysis and antigout properties of leaves of white mulberry plant. The phytochemical analysis was performed on quantitative and qualitative basis. The qualitative basis indicated the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, saponins and Anthraquinone. Biochemical regulation of extracts on anti-gout property using XO inhibition study. Microbial XO was isolated from the Bacillus pumilus to study the anti-gout effects of plant extracts qualitatively on xanthine – NBT plate. Additionally, image analysis studies revealed more clear aspects toward the inhibition studies by plant extracts. The XO activity observed varied from 2.89 to 13.80 μM of uric acid formed/min/ml of enzyme used. Ethanolic extract of mulberry leaves (EEML) showed higher XO inhibition than allopurinol. This is associated with its total polyphenol content, which ranged from 81.25 to 103.12 mg GAE/g of dried extract used, as reported in the case of EEML. The present study is the very first report of relating polyphenol content of EEML with the anti-gout property. EEML is a potential candidate for anti-gout property due to the presence of higher amounts of total polyphenol content and B. pumilus is the best source to extract microbial XO.