Journal of Natural Medicines 2009-07-01

Hydroxychavicol: a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor obtained from the leaves of betel, Piper betle.

Kazuya Murata, Kikuyo Nakao, Noriko Hirata, Kensuke Namba, Takao Nomi, Yoshihisa Kitamura, Kenzo Moriyama, Takahiro Shintani, Munekazu Iinuma, Hideaki Matsuda

Index: J. Nat. Med. 63(3) , 355-9, (2009)

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Abstract

The screening of Piperaceous plants for xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity revealed that the extract of the leaves of Piper betle possesses potent activity. Activity-guided purification led us to obtain hydroxychavicol as an active principle. Hydroxychavicol is a more potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor than allopurinol, which is clinically used for the treatment of hyperuricemia.