Bergenin as a Novel Urate-Lowering Therapeutic Strategy for Hyperuricemia

Bergenin is a C-glucoside of 4-O-methyl gallic acid isolated from several medicinal plants and has multiple biological activities. The aim of this study was to assess the potential usefulness of bergenin in hyperuricemia. We found that bergenin reduced serum urate levels in hyperuricemia mice by promoting renal and gut uric acid excretion. Bergenin treatment increasedAbcg2expression both in the kidneys and intestine, while the expression ofSlc2a9was suppressed in the kidney and increased in the intestine. Moreover, bergenin inducedABCG2expression in HK-2 and Caco-2 cells, as well asSLC2A9in Caco-2 cells, via the activation ofPPAR gamma. Nevertheless, bergenin suppressedSLC2A9expression in HK-2 cells by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of p53. Furthermore, bergenin decreased the serum levels of IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha in hyperuricemia mice, and promoted a polarization shift from the M1 to M2 phenotype in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, these findings provide evidence supporting the further development of bergenin as a novel therapeutic strategy for hyperuricemia.