Rapid characterisation of xanthine oxidase inhibitors from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. Using metabolomics approach

Introduction Hyperuricemia is the key risk factor for gout, in which the elevated uric acid is attributed to the oxidation of hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid by xanthine oxidase (XO). Adverse effects of the current treatments lead to an urgent need for safer and more effective alternative from natural resources. Objective To compare the metabolite profile of Chrysanthemum morifolium flower fraction with that of its detannified fraction in relation to XO inhibitory activity using a rapid and effective metabolomics approach. Methods Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1-NMR)-based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate data analysis was utilised to characterise the XO inhibitors related to the antioxidant properties, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents of the C. morifolium dried flowers. Results The highest XO inhibitory activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content with strong positive correlation between them were observed in the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction. Detannified EtOAc showed higher XO inhibitory activity than non-detannified EtOAc fraction. A total of 17 metabolites were tentatively identified, of which three namely kaempferol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and apigenin, could be suggested to be responsible for the strong XO inhibitory activity. Additive interaction between 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and apigenin (or kaempferol) in XO inhibition was demonstrated in the interaction assay conducted. Conclusion Chrysanthemum morifolium dried flower-part could be further explored as a natural XO inhibitor for its anti-hyperuricemic potential. Metabolomics approach served as an effective classification of plant metabolites responsible for XO inhibitory activity, and demonstrated that multiple active compounds can work additively in giving combined inhibitory effects.

Automated summary

Hyperuricemia is the key risk factor for gout, and finding safer and more effective alternatives for current treatments is urgent. This study compared the metabolite profiles of Chrysanthemum morifolium flower fraction and its detannified fraction in relation to XO inhibitory activity, finding that the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest XO inhibitory activity. The study identified potential compounds responsible for XO inhibition and demonstrated an additive interaction between 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and apigenin or kaempferol in XO inhibition.