Identification of Effective Components in Flos Chrysanthemi Indici for Alleviating Gouty Inflammation through Integrated Absorption and Metabolism Studies

Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (FCI) is a widely used edible flower and functional food resource, whose extract demonstrates a significant inhibitory effect on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced inflammation in mice. However, the main active components responsible for this effect have remained elusive. Understanding the bioavailability of these components is essential for ensuring the efficacy of functional foods. In this study, we aimed to identify the active components of FCI by examining their in vivo exposure, including absorbed compounds and their metabolites. Initially, we investigated the profiles of FCI extract and absorption and metabolism in rat plasma. Subsequently, through cellular experiments, we found that luteolin, apigenin, luteolin-3′-O-glucuronide, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, acacetin-7-O-glucuronide, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide exhibited anti-inflammatory effects against MSU-induced inflammation in THP-1 macrophage cells. The active-related parent compounds in FCI (linarin and luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucoside) were considered as quality control standards for the development of functional products targeting gout. This study characterized the active polyphenolics of FCI in vivo, which may contribute to its reported anti-gout properties, providing valuable insights into the health benefits of FCI polyphenols.