Phytochemical and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Carissa carandas L. Fruit Extract

Abstract

          The Thai wisdom knows the benefits of Carissa carandas L. to be used as a traditional herbal medicine. However, there was no scientific evidence to show that Carissa carandas L. of Thailand can treat gout or not. In this research, the Carissa carandas L. fruit extract in semi-ripening and ripe stage were studied for the phytochemical and inhibitory activity of xanthine oxidase, one of the causes of gout. The result of phytochemical indicated that the crude extract from semi-ripening stage fruit contained many substances; phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and deoxy sugars. While the ripe stage fruit contained the similar substances excepted saponins. The extract solution of Carissa carandas L. showed the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, as the ethanolic extract solution gave the higher activity than water extract solution. The crude extracts of semi-ripening stage fruit presented the higher activity than the ripe stage one with the IC₅₀ values of 24.0 ± 0.5 and 28.7 ± 3.7 mg/mL, respectively. The result of ripening stage with different inhibitory activity was useful for harvesting. The purified extract may be a choice for using as medicine for gout.