The effect of goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) preparations and metformin on the uric acid exchange in rats with the metabolic disorders induced by protamine sulphate against the background of atherogenic diet

Abstract

The tincture and the extract of the aerial part of goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) are characterized with a favorable effect on the lipid and uric acid metabolism, as well as with the antidiabetic activity. The tincture is capable of increasing metformin efficacy in the experiment. Taking into account the role of uric acid metabolism disorders in the pathogenesis of “diseases of civilization” it is expedient to assess the possibility of correcting these disorders by goutweed preparations combined with metformin.Aim. To determine the effect of goutweed tincture and the extract, as well as their combinations with metformin on the uric acid metabolism in rats with the primary disorder of the lipid metabolism.Materials and methods. The model presupposed administration of protamine sulfate to rats against the background of the atherogenic diet was used. The tincture and the extract of goutweed (1 g/kg and 1 ml/kg intragastrically, respectively), metformin (50 mg/kg intragastrically) and their combinations were administered during the whole period of the model simulation. The xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in the liver and kidneys, the content of uric acid in these organs and blood plasma, as well as its renal excretion under conditions of water loading were measured.Results. In rats receiving the atherogenic diet combined with protamine sulfate the uric acid level in the kidneys and its renal excretion moderately decreased, while the XO activity and the uric acid level in the liver and blood plasma remained unchanged. Against the background of metformin, the goutweed tincture, or their combination, as well as the combination of metformin with the extract the inhibition of the liver XO activity was registered, against the background of the tincture (per se and in the combination with metformin), as well as the extract, there was also suppression of the kidney XO activity. The content of uric acid in the liver did not change significantly in all groups, uricemia decreased only after administration of the tincture per se and slightly increased against the background of metformin combined with the extract (compared to other groups of treated animals, but not with the intact control); the uric acid level in the kidneys significantly reduced in rats treated with the combination of metformin and the extract, the similar tendency was observed in the untreated control group and both groups receiving the tincture. Against the background of the tincture and the extract per se the uric acid excretion increased (in rats receiving the tincture diuresis was elevated, so there were no increase in the uric acid concentration in the urine, which occurred against the background of the extract). After the combined administration of the extract with metformin there was no change of the uric acid excretion although its urinary content remained elevated against the background of low diuresis. The stimulatory effect of the tincture on the renal excretion of uric acid was not revealed when combining with metformin, while normourocemia and the effect on the XO activity in the liver and kidneys maintained. Conclusions. The combination of goutweed tincture with metformin is promising for further studies.