Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of some leafy vegetables collected from Palakkad regions of Kerala

Sauropus androgynus, Aerva lanata & Benincasa hispida have been using as leafy vegetable in kerala. The investigation undertaken was aimed to study xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity of these three plants and it was demonstrated the usefulness and beneficial effects in the treatment of Gout. Inhibition of XO is an effective therapeutic approach for treating hyperuricemia that causes gout. Allopurinol, a known inhibitor of XO, was used to validate the method and was adopted as positive control in the studies. The degree of inhibition was determined by measuring the increase in absorbance at 295 nm associated with uric acid formation. Aerva lanata showed a significant XO inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 62.53μg/ml. Benincasa hispida and Sauropus androgynus showed a moderate significant XO inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 67.97μg/ml,80.12 μg/ml respectively. The study recommended that leaves possess XO inhibitory activity that might be useful in preventing or slow down the progress of gout.