Effects of Juniperus phoenicea extract on uricemia and activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver, erythrocyte and testis of hyperuricemic (oxonate-treated) rats

The aim of the present study was to determine whether administration of Juniperus phoeniceaextract would have any advantage over allopurinol therapy on (1) lipids peroxidation level and (2) antioxidant activity in liver, erythrocyte and testis of hyperuricemic rats by oxonate administration. In hyperuricemic rats, levels of lipids peroxidation in liver, erythrocyte and testis were found to be significantly increased as compared to control rats (p < 0.05). Activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also significantly increased as compared to the controls (p < 0.05). An ameliorative effect was obtained in hyperuricemic rats by oral treatment with either allopurinol (10 mg/kg body weight (bw)) or J. phoenicea extract (100 or 200 mg/kg bw). The 100 mg/kg dose revealed to be efficient in reducing uric acid level in blood and the 200 mg/kg dose strongly reduced the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX in liver and erythrocyte. Our results support that the consumption of J. phoenicea extract should be recommended in ethnomedicinal practice to reduce the risk of gout by decreasing the uric acid level in blood and to confer some protection against oxidative stresses at organs level.   Key words: Oxidative stress, oxonate, uric acid, allopurinol, Juniperus phoenicea, rat.