Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible antihyperuricemic effect of alfalfa leaves powder and extract as a natural antioxidant on aspirin-induced hyperuricemia rats.
Methods: Thirty five of white albino male rats (Sprague-Dawley strain), weighing 120± 5g, Rats were randomly distributed into 5 groups each containing 7 rats: negative control, hyperuricemic (positive untreated), hyperuricemic + allopurinol (5 mg/100g b.w/rats), hyperuricemic + alfalfa powder (10 g/kg/diet/day), hyperuricemic + alfalfa extract (1 ml/ kg/ b.w/ rats /day) were given to the rats for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, rats were anaesthetized by diethyl ether and sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemical examinations.
Results: Uric acid, creatinine, urea levels were increased in positive control group (hyperuricemic) compared with the negative control group and decreased in all the treatment groups. In addition increased levels of MDA and decrease activity of SOD and total antioxidant in positive group (10.17, 17.96 and 1.70, respectively) were reversed with alfalfa powder and extract therapy. An increase in of AST, ALT, and ALP activities corrected by treatment with alfalfa powder and extract were observed in hyperuricemic rats.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that treatment with alfalfa powder (10g/kg/diet/day) and extract (1ml/kg/b.w/rats /day) ameliorates metabolic derangement by enhancing uric acid levels and the antioxidant defense against aspirin-induced hyperuricemia in rats, the antioxidant activity may be related to their phenolic compounds.
Key words: Hyperuriciemia; Medicago sativa; phenolic compound; Uric acid; Total antioxidant capcity; Superoxide dismutase