Abstract
Hyperuricemia is a common metabolic disease that is caused by high serum uric acid levels. It is considered to be closely associated with the development of many chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, hyperlipemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. While pharmaceutical drugs have been shown to exhibit serious side effects, and bioactive compounds from plant-based functional foods have been demonstrated to be active in the treatment of hyperuricemia with only minimal side effects. Indeed, previous reports have revealed the significant impact of bioactive compounds from plant-based functional foods on hyperuricemia. This review focuses on plant-based functional foods that exhibit a hypouricemic function and discusses the different bioactive compounds and their pharmacological effects. More specifically, the bioactive compounds of plant-based functional foods are divided into six categories, namely flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, saponins, polysaccharides, and others. In addition, the mechanism by which these bioactive compounds exhibit a hypouricemic effect is summarized into three classes, namely the inhibition of uric acid production, improved renal uric acid elimination, and improved intestinal uric acid secretion. Overall, this current and comprehensive review examines the use of bioactive compounds from plant-based functional foods as natural remedies for the management of hyperuricemia.
Highlights
Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a common metabolic disease caused by an imbalance between endogenous production and excretion of urate [1]
A large number of epidemiological studies have reported that HUA is closely related to diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease [10,11,12,13], which suggests that complications associated with HUA may increase in the coming years
HUA can lead to life-threatening disorders that are rapidly increasing in frequency worldwide, and so the consumption of functional foods could be considered an alternative to medication to prevent or treat HUA
Summary
Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a common metabolic disease caused by an imbalance between endogenous production and excretion of urate [1]. HUA can be caused by either an increase in UA production or a decrease in UA metabolism in the body, with reduced urate excretion being the most common mechanism, accounting for about 90% of cases [9]. Plant-based functional foods are derived from natural or unprocessed plant foods, or plant foods modified via biotechnological means [28] They are products that have a relevant effect on well-being and health or reduce the risk of disease [29]. This review highlights the biological components of plant-based functional foods towards the treatment of HUA, as well as the mechanisms by which these components exhibit hypouricemic effects.
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