Urate-lowering effects of polyphenolic compounds in animal models: systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#uric-acid #animals #polyphenols #disease-models-animal #hyperuricemia

Urate-lowering effects of polyphenolic compounds in animal models: systematic review and meta-analysis

Chen et al., 2025 | PeerJ | Meta Analysis

Citation

Chen Jianhong, Zhang Boye, ... Yuan Ye. Urate-lowering effects of polyphenolic compounds in animal models: systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ. 2025;13:e19731. doi:10.7717/peerj.19731

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent research underscores the critical role of uric acid (UA) in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases. However, the effects of polyphenolic compounds on uric acid levels remain poorly defined. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to assess the impact of five specific polyphenolic compounds on uric acid levels in animal models. METHODOLOGY: We performed an exhaustive literature search through October 30, 2024, utilizing databases including Wanfang, VIP, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Embase, and PubMed. The methodological quality of the included animal studies was evaluated using the SYRCLE (Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation) risk of bias tool. Data analysis was conducted using R software, with meta-analyses performed via RevMan 5.3, adhering to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS: Our analysis integrated data from 49 studies, revealing that the selected polyphenolic compounds significantly lowered serum uric acid (SUA) levels across various animal models (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -2.33, 95% CI [-2.73, -1.93]) and increased urinary uric acid (UUA) levels (SMD = 2.53, 95% CI [1.38, 3.69]). Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent SUA reduction across different disease models. Detailed meta-analyses for each polyphenol disclosed distinct contributions to SUA reduction: resveratrol (RES) (SMD = -1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-2.28, -1.45]), chlorogenic acid (CGA) (SMD = -2.31, 95% CI [-2.89, -1.73]), ferulic acid (FA) (SMD = -2.82, 95% CI [-4.46, -1.19]), punicalagin (PU) (SMD = -3.87, 95% CI [-5.99, -1.75]), and bergenin (BER) (SMD = -8.51, 95% CI [-10.30, -6.73]). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis supports the proposition that polyphenols such as RES, CGA, FA, PU, and BER effectively reduce serum uric acid in animal models. Notably, RES exhibited an inverted U-shaped nonlinear trend. However, the high heterogeneity and methodological constraints, including small sample sizes, ambiguous randomization practices, and potential publication bias, necessitate cautious interpretation. Further high-quality research is essential to substantiate these findings and facilitate their translation into clinical practice.

Key Findings

Our analysis integrated data from 49 studies, revealing that the selected polyphenolic compounds significantly lowered serum uric acid (SUA) levels across various animal models (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -2.33, 95% CI [-2.73, -1.93]) and increased urinary uric acid (UUA) levels (SMD = 2.53, 95% CI [1.38, 3.69]). Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent SUA reduction across different disease models. Detailed meta-analyses for each polyphenol disclosed distinct contributions to SUA red

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 49
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Uric Acid
  • Animals
  • Polyphenols
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hyperuricemia

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: resveratrol

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09