In vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of Piper betle and Phyllanthus niruri

Abstract

Xanthine oxidase inhibitors are commonly employed for the treatment of gout in birds but their side effects limit their use, making the search for an alternative very essential. Based on the literature reports, Piper betle and Phyllanthus niruri herbs were selected for the present study to find out their xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential. Alcoholic extracts of both herbs were analysed for qualitative phytochemical contents. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, saponin and terpenoids were detected in both herbs. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was assessed in different concentrations of both herbs viz., 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml in double beam UV/Visible Spectrophotometer in comparison with Allopurinol. The results revealed that both herbs possess xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity at 100 µg/ml concentration and among herbs P. betle showed superior xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity (81.50±0.57 per cent). Hence it was concluded that the presence of phytochemicals in both herbs might contribute to their xanthine oxidase inhibitory action and they may be studied alone or in combination through in vivo experiments to authenticate the present findings.