Evaluating the Anti-Hyperuricemic Activity of the Ethanol Extract of Leucas Lavandulaefolia in Wistar Rats

Leucas lavandulaefolia, commonly called Lenglengan, is widely used in traditional medicine, and has been reported to possess various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the anti-hyperuricemic effect of the ethanol extract of L. lavandulaefolia leaves. Thirty-five (35) Wistar rats were divided into seven groups of five rats each. Group I: normal control, Group II: negative control (CMC-Na 10 mL/kg BW), Group III: positive control (allopurinol 9.0 mg/kg BW), and groups IV-VII: were administered ethanol extract of L. lavandulaefolia leaves at doses of 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg BW, respectively. Prior to the treatments, hyperuricemia was induced in the rats except the normal control by the administration of purine-rich diet comprising chicken liver juice (25 mL/kg twice daily for 14 days), and Gnetum gnemon fruit (2 g/kg daily for 14 days). Hyperuricemic rats were treated with the extract, allopurinol, or untreated (negative control) according to their respective groups. Treatments were given once daily for 14 days. Serum uric acid concentrations were measured at intervals of 5 days beginning from the 15th day until the 30th day post-induction. Results showed that the ethanol leaf extract of L. lavandulaefolia exhibited a significant and a dose-dependent anti-hyperuricemic activity, with the 800 mg/kg BW dose showing the highest activity, with a 66.27% reduction in serum uric acid concentration on the 30th day post-induction. The ED50 was found to be 322 mg/kg BW. Therefore, L. lavandulaefolia has the potential to be developed as a natural agent for the treatment of gout.