Abstract:

Objective: To explore the effect of sea cucumber and its major bioactive components on uric acid metabolism
and hyperuricemia induced by yeast extract powder in mice. Methods: Thirty Kunming mice were divided into normal group,
model group, saponin group, polysaccharide group and whole sea cucumber group. Hyperuricemic model was established by
oral administration of yeast extract powder for 14 days. The concentrations of serum uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), blood
urea nitrogen (BUN) and the activities of liver xanthine oxidase (XOD) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) were determined.
Results: After 14 days of feeding, the saponin, polysaccharide and whole sea cucumber decreased uric acid level in serum
by 14.9% (P＜ 0.05), 20.7% (P ＜ 0.01) and 16.1% (P ＜ 0.05), respectively. The dietary saponin, polysaccharide and
whole sea cucumber treatments resulted in a reduction in XOD activity by 13.5% (P ＜ 0.05), 13.7% (P ＜ 0.05) and 21.2%
(P ＜ 0.01) and in ADA activity by 26.7% (P ＜ 0.05), 29.0% (P ＜ 0.01) and 17.4% (P ＜ 0.05), respectively. However,
all the groups investigated showed similar serum Cr and BUN levels. Conclusion: Sea cucumber possesses a potent antihyperuricemic
effect, which is related to the saponin and polysaccharide.

Key words: sea cucumber, saponin, polysaccharide, hyperuricemia