RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Hypouricemic and antioxidant activities of Allium cepa Lilliaceae and quercetin in normal and hyperuricemic rats JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 1573 OP 1579 VO 29 IS 11 A1 Haidari, Fatemeh A1 Rashidi, Mohammad R. A1 Eshraghian, Mohammad R. A1 Mahboob, Soltan A. A1 Shahi, Majid M. A1 Keshavarz, Seid A. YR 2008 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/29/11/1573.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hypouricemic and antioxidant effects of Allium cepa Lilliaceae (Allium cepa L.) and quercetin in normal and hyperuricemic rats.METHODS: The following study was conducted in the Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Tehran University of Medical Science, Iran, between May 2007 and March 2008. A total of 48 male Wistar rats (body weights: 180-200 g) were randomly divided into 8 equal groups including normal; normal + Allium cepa L. (5g/kg); normal + quercetin (5mg/kg); normal + allopurinol (5mg/kg); hyperuricemic; hyperuricemic + Allium cepa L. (5g/kg); hyperuricemic + quercetin (5mg/kg); hyperuricemic + allopurinol (5mg/kg) once a day for 14 days. Experimentally, hyperuricemia in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate (250mg/kg).RESULTS: Allium cepa L. and quercetin treatments for 14 days significantly reduced (p=0.000) the serum uric acid levels of hyperuricemic rats in a time-dependent manner. All treatments significantly inhibited hepatic xanthine oxidase/xanthine dehydrogenase activity. Allium cepa L. and quercetin treatments led also to a significant improvement in biomarkers of oxidative stress in hyperuricemic rats (p=0.000). Although the hypouricemic effect of allopurinol was much higher than that of Allium cepa L. and quercetin, it could not significantly change oxidative stress biomarkers.CONCLUSION: These results may be responsible partly for the beneficial effects of Allium cepa L. and its major flavonoid on hyperuricemia and oxidative stress.