The development from hyperuricemia to gout: key mechanisms and natural products for treatment

Gout is a common of inflammatory arthritis and is caused by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals as a result of hyperuricemia (HUA). Although HUA is considered to be the main risk factor for gout, only approximately 10% of the individuals with HUA will eventually experience a gout attack. In this review, we first briefly introduce the development of gout and then summarize several possible reasons for its development. Genetic factors play a more prominent role in gout than in other diseases; functional mutations related to urate control and innate immunity components have been found to be associated with gout. Here, we list some of the most prominent genes involved in the pathogenesis of gout. In joints with MSU deposition, mature macrophages may uptake MSU crystals without causing inflammation, and this helps to maintain joints in an asymptomatic state. As an auxiliary inflammation pathway, the ATP-P2X7R-NLRP3 axis may contribute to the amplification of MSU-induced inflammation to affect the development of gout. Finally, this review summarizes the research progress on natural products that can be used in the treatment of HUA and gout.