A natural complex product Yaocha reduces uric acid level in a live zebrafish model

Introduction: This study was aimed to assess uric acid (UA)-lowering effect and its possible mechanisms of a natural complex product Yaocha in a live zebrafish model. Methods: The zebrafish high UA model was established by feeding 5 dpf zebrafish with both an uricase inhibitor potassium oxonate at 10 mM and an UA synthesis precursor xanthine sodium at 0.5 mM for 24 h. Yaocha was administered to the high UA zebrafish through soaking at 3 various concentrations, with allopurinol as a positive control. UA level, xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity, and mRNA expression of hypoxanthine guanine-phosphoribosyltransferases transferase (HPRT1) and organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) were measured. Results: Yaocha effectively reduced UA level and inhibited xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in the high UA zebrafish. Yaocha could be a potential therapeutics for hyperuricemia through up-regulating HPRT1 and OAT1 gene expression and suppressing XO activity. Discussion: These results suggested that Yaocha hold a potential for high UA prevention and therapy, possibly through inhibiting UA production and promoting urate secretion and purine conversion.