Study on the Prevalence of Hyperuricemia and Ethnobotanicals Associated with Gouty Arthritis in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir

Abstract

Hyperuricemia prevalence is an exclusive condition in the global populace as it seems to have increased day by day for a long time now. Recent studies recommend that hyperuricemia is an issue and is considered an independent risk. The prevalence of hyperuricemia in the patients of Azad Kashmir and the surveillance of medicinal plants used for this gouty arthritis is relatively low. However, to assess hyperuricemia prevalence in the Rawalakot region of Azad Kashmir, a review study was conducted. The data of the previous three years were retrieved from the Eastern Medicine Teaching Clinic at the University of Poonch, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalakot, as well as Ali Imran Hospital Rawalakot. Additionally, an ethnobotanical survey was performed to investigate the therapeutic plants utilized to cure gouty arthritis in the Rawalakot region of Azad Kashmir. The study observed a high incidence of hyperuricemia with joint pain in 17.4% of the 189 patients. The percentage of hyperuricemia in males was higher (10.5%) than in females (6.87%). These plants were identified and then evaluated by the local elder people and traditional healers (Hakims). Later on, it was then confirmed by the Botanical Department of University and then preserved. The ethnobotanical study revealed 13 medicinal plants belonging to 11 families used as medicines to treat gouty arthritis. Solanaceae was the most popular family with three species, Datura stramonium, Solanum nigrum, and Withania somnifera. It has been observed that people taking these medicinal plants have significant improvement in gouty arthritis. However, further study needs to be carried out to explore the bioactivity of the plants.