Traditional herb compound blocks kidney's uric acid recycling protein
Li K, Jin F, Tan S, Zeng X, Yuan D
Medicinal Plants
If you or a gardening friend deal with gout flare-ups, this plant used in Chinese herbal medicine for centuries just had its active ingredient and exact molecular target pinned down for the first time.
Researchers studied a plant called Polygonum capitatum, long used in traditional medicine to ease gout, and found a specific compound in it called Cinchonain Ia. This compound latches onto a particular spot on a kidney protein that normally pulls uric acid back into the bloodstream, effectively telling the kidney to let more uric acid pass out in urine instead. In rats and mice, the plant extract also improved gut bacteria and reduced kidney damage without harming the liver.
Key Findings
Cinchonain Ia binds directly to the TRP-459 residue on the GLUT9 kidney protein, inhibiting its expression and reducing uric acid reabsorption
The plant extract lowered serum uric acid and reduced kidney injury in hyperuricemia rat and mouse models while showing no liver toxicity
Overexpressing GLUT9 reversed Cinchonain Ia's protective effects, confirming GLUT9 as the compound's key target for reducing inflammation and tissue damage
chevron_right Technical Summary
A traditional Chinese medicinal plant called Polygonum capitatum contains a natural compound that blocks the kidney protein responsible for reabsorbing uric acid, offering a potential new treatment approach for gout and hyperuricemia.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Cinchonain Ia inhibits uric acid reabsorption by binding to the TRP-459 residue of the GLUT9 protein.
Hyperuricemia, a chronic metabolic disorder resulting from purine metabolism abnormalities, imposes a substantial burden on patients, their families, and society. Consequently, discovering more eff...
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Persicaria capitata, the pink-headed persicaria, pinkhead smartweed, pink knotweed, Japanese knotweed, or pink bubble persicaria, is an Asian species of plants in the genus Persicaria within the Polygonaceae family. It is native to Asia and grown as an ornamental in other countries. It has become...