Anti-hyperuricemic potential of <em>Rhododendron tomentosum</em> Harmaja syn. <em>Ledum palustre</em> L. 30c and 1M in potassium oxonate induced rat model

Abstract

Hyperuricemia is a common metabolic disorder and several homeopathic ultra-high dilutions are being used in the treatment of hyperuricemia and its related diseases. Conventional treatment for the hyperuricemia is allopurinol but it gives many side effects like allergic reactions, gestrohepatic ailment, hepatic and renal complaints. It is the need of the hour to introduce an alternative system of medicine with minimal side effects. The study aimed to find hypouricemic effects of <em>Ledum palustre</em> 30c and 1M in potassium oxonate induced hyperuricemia rat model. The study comprised of 11 groups of rats (E = 33). All the groups except normal control were treated with potassium oxonate. Normal control group received distilled water, hyperurecemic control group succussed alcohol mixed in distilled water. Allopurinol, <em>Ledum palustre</em> 30c and 1M were administered for one day, 3 day and 7 days (single dose/day) in different study groups (3×3 = 9 groups). Blood samples were collected by rat tail vein bleeding. Serum uric acid and serum creatinine levels were checked by using standard kits. Student's <em>t</em>-test for independent means was used for statistical analysis of difference between the groups. p ≤ 0.05 (two tailed value) was considered significant. Oral administration of <em>Ledum palustre</em> 30c and 1M decreased serum uric acid levels of hyperurecemic rats in time dependent manner. 3 day and 7 day administration of <em>Ledum palustre</em> 30c and 1M reduced serum uric acid level more significantly as compared to one day administration. However, allopurinol normalized serum uric acid levels in all study groups. The present study indicated marked hypouricemic effects of <em>Ledum palustre</em> 30c and 1M in hyperuricemia induced by potassium oxonate in rats. However, clear conclusion of hypouricemic potential of <em>Ledum palustre</em> required replication of experiment.