From Gomphrena celosioides Mart plant to scientific evidence-based preparations supporting gout treatment
Gout is a purine metabolism disorder characterised by elevated blood uric acid levels and the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in tissues, causing arthritis and potentially leading to complications such as kidney stones, kidney failure and cardiovascular diseases. In current treatment approaches, controlling uric acid levels through inhibition of the xanthine oxidase enzyme is considered an effective method. However, prolonged use of synthetic medicines still presents certain limitations due to the risk of adverse reactions and the need for close monitoring during treatment.
Meanwhile, many medicinal plants used in traditional medicine are opening up promising approaches. The Gomphrena celosioides Mart has long been used to support the treatment of arthritis, kidney stones and urinary disorders - conditions related to gout. However, in-depth studies on the chemical composition and biological mechanisms of this plant remain limited.
The Gomphrena celosioides Mart plant. Source: Internet
In the research project titled “Study on the Chemical Composition, Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity and Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Gomphrena celosioides Mart plant” (code: VAST04.10/23-24), conducted by Dr Ngo Van Quang and his team at the Institute of Chemistry under the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology, scientists have provided important scientific evidence regarding the medicinal value of this plant.
From folk experience to scientific evidence
Research results showed that the n-butanol extract fraction of the Gomphrena celosioides Mart plant exhibited strong xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, thereby guiding the isolation of highly active biological compounds. The research team isolated eight compounds from the plant, five of which were identified for the first time in the species Gomphrena celosioides.
Notably, the compound sesuvioside A (NDP4) not only demonstrated the ability to inhibit the xanthine oxidase enzyme but also showed anti-inflammatory effects, indicating potential “dual-action” benefits in supporting gout treatment.
The team also developed a process for producing a preparation rich in xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity at a scale of 50g per batch, while evaluating acute toxicity and establishing basic standards for the preparation. Test results showed that the preparation caused no acute oral toxicity at high doses, creating a foundation for developing gout-supporting products from domestic medicinal herbs.
A gout-supporting preparation – a product derived from the research project
According to Dr. Ngo Van Quang, the team’s goal is not only to clarify the biological activity of the medicinal herb but also to develop safe gout-supporting preparations with minimal side effects and suitability for long-term use. The exploitation of familiar, easy-to-grow traditional medicinal plants that are researched and standardised based on scientific evidence is considered a highly promising direction.
The acceptance council of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology highly appreciated the project’s results, particularly the clarification of the xanthine oxidase inhibition mechanism and the anti-inflammatory potential of compounds derived from the Gomphrena celosioides Mart plant.
The research findings have been published in prestigious scientific journals such as the Journal of the Mexican Chemical Society (SCIE, 2025), the Vietnam Journal of Chemistry (Scopus), and Chemistry & Application. In addition, the project has produced practical products, including eight purified compounds with identified structures and a process for creating gout-supporting preparations along with basic standards for these preparations.
In the coming period, the research team will continue refining the production process while developing sustainable raw material areas, aiming towards safe, stable products capable of long-term application in community healthcare.
Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese version
