A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Screening and evaluation of xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity in anthocyanin extracts from diverse dietary sources
Authors: Li, Si-yi; Zhao, Min; Li, Yue; Wang, Nuo; Li, Xiu-jun; Zhao, Ming-yue; Sun, Fa-lin; Hu, Bo-wen; Xue, Hao-yu; Zhou, Ying; Yang, Baoru; Quintana Loyola, Rodrigo; Shu, Chi; Li, Bin; Tian, Jin-long
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Food and Function
ISSN: 2042-6496
eISSN: 2042-650X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d6fo01870j
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1039/d6fo01870j
Xanthine oxidase (XO) represents a key therapeutic target for the treatment of hyperuricemia. Although dietary anthocyanins are known to ameliorate hyperuricemia, their structure–activity relationship (SAR) concerning XO inhibition has not been fully elucidated. This study systematically evaluated the inhibitory effects of anthocyanin extracts derived from various dietary sources—including fruits, vegetables, cereals, and edible flowers—on XO activity, uric acid (UA) levels, and hyperuricemia-associated biomarkers. Using inhibition kinetics, spectroscopic techniques, and molecular simulations, we confirmed the direct binding of anthocyanins to XO and identified delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside (D3S) as the most potent inhibitor. In vivo experiments showed that anthocyanin extract from kale significantly suppressed XO activity and improved renal function in hyperuricemic mice. Transcriptomic and qPCR analyses further revealed that anthocyanins modulate the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, specifically through downregulation of PIK3R5. These findings highlight the potential of specific anthocyanin structures, particularly D3S, as effective natural XO inhibitors for the management of hyperuricemia.
Funding information in the publication:
The authors would like to acknowledge support by Key Research and Development Project of Liaoning Province-People’s Livelihood Technology Category (2024021041-JH2/1025) and China-Chile Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Blueberry (2024021198-JH2/1021).