Anti-hyperuricemic triterpene saponins from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata

Three new triterpene saponins (1–3) were obtained from Achyranthes bidentata, which were further assayed for the anti-hyperuricemic activities. Their structures were determined through HRESI-MS, NMR data and chemical method. As for the anti-hyperuricemic evaluation, 1–3 were evaluated against the adenosine/xanthine oxidase induced HK-2 cell model. Compound 1 showed the most effective activity at 50.0 μM, 2 and 3 showed moderate anti-hyperuricemic activities at 50.0 μM and 12.5 μM, respectively, with 1 and 2 concentration-dependent, while 3 on the contrary. Western blot analysis was carried out to investigate the mechanism of 1, demonstrating that 1 reduced uric acid levels partly by regulating the renal urate transporters (OAT1, URAT1 and GLUT9).