Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Effect of Alternanthera sessilis

Alternanthera sessilis is one of the useful medicinal plants which is also used in diet by many people of Asia and other regions. This plant has shown many therapeutic uses such as anti- inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal, antimicrobial, antioxidant and also hepatoprotective activities. Xanthine oxidase is a flavoprotein enzyme whose high activity will lead to excessive production of uric acid which will then get accumulated in muscles and joints leading to a diseased condition called gout. The present study was aimed to assess the xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect on Alternanthera sessilis leaf extract and to screen the phytochemical constituents in it. Ethanolic extract of Alternanthera sessilis leaves was used for the study. Phytochemical screening and the inhibitory activity of this plant extract were analysed. The result showed the potent xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect of the plant in a concentration dependent manner. The phytochemical screening also revealed that the extract is rich in alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phlobatannins and carbohydrates. The study showed that the ethanolic extract of Alternanthera sessilis showed potent in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity and is rich in the presence of phytochemical constituents. Further detailed studies have to be done to elucidate the underlying mechanism of its activity and to develop it as a drug for the treatment for gout.